“Chef’s Stand Against Nationalism: Why He Vowed to Never Cook Egg Fried Rice Again

In a recent controversy, Chinese celebrity chef Xu Wei has vowed to never cook Egg Fried Rice again, in response to a nationalist backlash. The incident began when a student from the Anhui Food Science and Technology School posted a video online of Xu Wei preparing an Egg Fried Rice dish. The student, using a derogatory term for the Taiwanese, asked Xu Wei if the dish was “Taiwanese style”. In response, Xu Wei said that he would not cook the dish as his personal opposition to the “One China Policy,” which is the idea that both the mainland of China and Taiwan are part of China. This led to a widespread nationalist backlash, with some calling for a boycott of Xu Wei and his restaurants. In response to the backlash, Xu Wei released a statement saying that he would “cease to cook [Egg Fried Rice] and any similar dishes from now on.” He added that he “welcomed criticism with an open heart” and apologized to all those who were offended by his statement. The incident has received considerable attention in the media, with many viewing it as a sign of increasing nationalism in China. It is yet to be seen how this incident will affect Xu Wei’s career, and if other celebrities or chefs will follow suit. However, it serves as a strange reminder of the power of social media and the need for celebrities and members of the public alike to be aware of how their words and actions can be taken out of context and used to advance a certain political agenda.