Tangier hosts China's hit TV show «Chinese Restaurant», a culinary fusion of cultures
Tangier is hosting an exclusive season of Chinese Restaurant, Asia's top TV show with billions of views. From May 20 to June 9, La Terraza de la Médina will welcome the show's celebrity cast for a 21-day culinary adventure, blending Moroccan and Chinese gastronomy against the backdrop of Tangier's medina and the Strait of Gibraltar, reads a press release.
The show, produced by Hunan TV, is famous for turning each location into a cultural icon: Colmar, France, saw a 70% tourism boost after hosting the show. Tangier's season aims to introduce Morocco's rich culinary heritage—tajines, couscous, and pastillas—to Chinese audiences.
Key figures include Dina Ottmani, a Moroccan singer and influencer who lived in China for 13 years, and Chef Lin Shuwei, a star of Chinese gastronomy. They are joined by a stellar lineup: Huang Xiaoming (60M followers), Shen Yue, Zhai Xiaowen (11M fans), Ding Yuxi, Jiang Yan, and Patrick Nattawat.
Rif Film Morocco is the local partner, handling logistics and coordination. Filming in Tangier is expected to boost tourism, showcase Moroccan culture, and strengthen Morocco-China ties.
Chinese Restaurant has previously filmed in Ko Chang, Colmar, Taormina, and Giverny. The Tangier season promises to be a unique blend of gastronomy, cultural diplomacy, and global exposure.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Morocco World
Taza Hosts Cultural Week Reclaiming Its Place on Cultural Map
Fez – From May 24 to 30,, the city of Taza witnessed the launch of an unprecedented event: the first edition of Taza Cultural Week, organized by the Forum Friouato for Cinema, Culture and Creation, in partnership with the Bahitoune Foundation and with the support of the Ministry of Culture's provincial delegation. This week-long celebration aimed to reposition Taza as a vibrant center of artistic and intellectual life in Morocco. According to Dr. Boujema El Aoufi, university professor, poet, art critic, and president of the organizing association, the timing was no accident. 'We felt it was the right moment to make culture heard in Taza,' he said to Morocco World News. 'This city is rich in history and talent, yet it has remained on the sidelines of Morocco's major cultural dynamics for too long.' The ambition of the inaugural edition was clear: not to create a fleeting event, but to lay the groundwork for a long-term cultural movement. The program included cinema screenings, visual art exhibitions, musical performances, and literary discussions, all with a strong focus on inclusion and participation. Local artists and intellectuals were given space to express themselves, while guests from other Moroccan regions brought outside perspectives to enrich the exchange. 'This week was a call to meet, create, and reflect,' El Aoufi said. 'We wanted to break the symbolic silence surrounding Taza and present it as a living cultural hub, not a forgotten city.' One of the event's primary goals was to stimulate the local cultural scene and create a ripple effect across the city. El Aoufi and his team hope that the week will encourage the emergence of new projects, inspire young people, and persuade institutional and economic actors to view culture as a necessary pillar of development, not a luxury. 'Strong, silent, longing for a cultural space like this' The event also served as a response to a longstanding problem: Taza's marginalization in the national cultural narrative. 'Through this manifestation, we wanted to say that Taza has something to contribute, something to share,' El Aoufi explained. The initiative spotlighted not only the city's tangible heritage but also its intangible cultural wealth, including ancestral knowledge, intellectual legacies, and untold stories. Thematic coherence played a key role in the success of the week. Every lecture, book presentation, and guest selection was curated around two ideas: memory and engaged creativity. The aim was to create dialogue between disciplines and generations: writers, researchers, and citizens engaged in discussions about identity, history, and social transformation. The path, however, was not without challenges. Convincing partners to support a first edition proved difficult. Coordinating diverse venues, participants, and audiences required intense logistics. 'It took persuasion, patience, and collective passion,' El Aoufi admitted. But the turnout, energy, and feedback from the community made the effort worthwhile. The most valuable takeaway? 'A collective momentum,' said El Aoufi. 'People responded with enthusiasm. There was a strong, sometimes silent, longing for a cultural space like this.' Looking ahead, the organizers aim to strengthen partnerships, establish a permanent cultural coordination committee, expand programming throughout the year, especially in schools and rural areas, and increase media outreach to secure a lasting impact. In Dr. El Aoufi's words: 'This first edition was a founding stone. The next step is to build a solid, inclusive, and future-oriented cultural architecture around it.' Tags: Cultural activitiesCulture in TazaTaza' Cultural Week
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Morocco World
Hakimi, LeBlanc Pendant Speaks to Moroccan Hearts and Heritage
Doha – Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi and renowned jewelry designer Mimia LeBlanc have joined forces to create a distinctive pendant honoring their shared Moroccan heritage. The collaboration and product were officially revealed on May 21. The jewelry piece features a traditional Moroccan door design with the map of Morocco carefully carved inside. This distinctive creation represents more than mere adornment—it stands as a tribute to Moroccan culture, craftsmanship, and natural beauty. 'Conceived with pride, crafted with love, and inspired by Morocco's eternal soul,' LeBlanc described the piece on her Instagram account. The announcement included a promotional video showcasing Morocco's cities, traditions, craftsmanship, and natural landscapes, with Hakimi proudly wearing the necklace throughout. The collaboration represents a powerful fusion of athletic excellence and artistic craftsmanship. It brings together the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player and the respected jewelry creator in a project deeply rooted in their cultural identity. Hakimi's involvement extended far beyond lending his name to the project. The international right-back participated actively throughout the creative process, from initial sketches to selecting materials. Every element was carefully considered through ongoing dialogue between the athlete and the designer. LeBlanc, known for her meticulous attention to detail, transformed their shared vision into a tangible ornament that balances traditional Moroccan motifs with contemporary design elements. Her craftsmanship brings together the heritage of the past with modern sensibilities. The pendant represents a meaningful symbol of cultural identity rather than a mere fashion accessory. It speaks to Moroccans both at home and abroad, connecting generations through beauty and memory. This collaboration shows a trend where partnerships transcend commercial interests to create something profoundly personal. The Hakimi-LeBlanc jewelry piece demonstrates how luxury and authenticity can coexist, with Morocco serving as a source of creative inspiration. The campaign has electrified audiences worldwide, transforming a simple adornment into a celebration of Moroccan identity and cultural pride. Just days after this jewelry launch, Hakimi cemented his legendary status by helping PSG secure their first-ever Champions League title with a commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan on May 31, further elevating his profile as both an athletic and cultural icon. Tags: Achraf Hakimimimia leblancMoroccan heritage
Morocco World
12 hours ago
- Morocco World
King Mohammed VI Mourns Passing of Royal Historiographer Abdelhak El Mrini
Doha – King Mohammed VI has expressed profound grief over the death of Abdelhak El Mrini, the historiographer of Morocco and spokesperson for the Royal Palace. El Mrini died in the night between Monday and Tuesday at the age of 91. In a message of condolences to El Mrini's family, the monarch conveyed his deep affliction and sadness. 'We have learned with a profound affliction and great sadness the news of the death of Our faithful servant, the late Abdelhak Lamrini, historiographer of the Kingdom of Morocco and spokesperson of the Royal Palace,' wrote the sovereign. He added that El Mrini's death comes in the midst of the blessed days of Dou Al Hijja. The King extended his sympathies to El Mrini's family members, close ones, friends, admirers, and the academic and cultural community. He acknowledged the loss of 'one of the pillars of their family, one of the intellectual and cultural figures, and one of the faithful servants of the country.' According to the monarch, El Mrini's intellectual and scientific contributions during his six-decade career provided comfort amid this painful loss. 'A man with a remarkable career' The sovereign noted that the deceased had enriched the national library with numerous pertinent and unique works that will forever remain 'a living testimony of his intellectual eminence, his passion for knowledge, his dedication to serving his homeland, and his sincere and unwavering attachment to the constants and sacred values of the nation and the Alaouite Throne.' Born in Rabat in 1934 to a family from Fez with ties to the Palace since Sultan Moulay Youssef's era, El Mrini followed an exemplary academic path. After attending m'ssid (Quranic school) and Moulay Youssef College, he earned doctorates from both Strasbourg University and the Faculty of Literature in Fez. El Mrini joined the royal protocol directorate in 1965, beginning a long association with the monarchy. He served as Director of Royal Palaces, Honors, and Decorations before becoming the kingdom's historiographer in 2010 and Royal Palace spokesperson in October 2012. The deceased authored several important works, including 'The Moroccan Army Throughout History,' which won the Literary Prize of Morocco in 1968. His other writings covered historical epics, societal themes, and religious subjects. The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) also mourned El Mrini's passing. The organization extended condolences to King Mohammed VI, El Mrini's family, and the Moroccan people, recognizing him as 'one of the prominent figures in Moroccan thought, history, and literature.' ICESCO highlighted El Mrini's special relationship with the organization, noting his participation in several cultural and intellectual events, including a lecture titled 'Highlights about Tea in Morocco' during their Ramadan series in 2022. The French Embassy in Morocco also expressed sadness over El Mrini's death, paying tribute to 'a man with a remarkable career' and offering sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Tags: Abdelhak MriniKing Mohammed VI
