Photo by Decafinata 

Lately the Beijing Olympics has received heavy criticism from Western countries because of China’s involvement in Tibet, violations of human rights and the country’s close relations with the regime in Sudan. Now China is responding with a charm offensive betting on that the way towards better relations with the West goes through our stomachs.

Therefore China will over the next few months send some 1,000 chefs to London to learn how to make Western-style food for athletes and tourists who attend the Olympics in Beijing this summer.

Each Chinese chef will receive a five-day crash course in how to mash a swede, roast potatoes, boil a ham and other delicacies plus they will have to learn how to prepare a variety of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and desserts. According to their teachers, those Chinese chefs - who already have attended the course - have been very attentive students who took notes all the time and were really interested to learn.

To those of you who will visit Beijing this summer, it is worth mentioning that the Chinese kitchen is the most varied of all national kitchens, and that Beijing is stacked with noodle shops, teahouses and restaurants serving delicacies from all parts of the country.

Author David Rich Momondo

If the queue in front of the Van Gogh Museum seems endless, then drop it and visit another of Amsterdam’s cultural highlights: The House of Bols!

Maybe you haven’t enjoyed Bols liqueurs or genever for quite some time, but at the House of Bols you have a unique opportunity to relive the experience at the museum's “Hall of Taste”.

The House of Bols revolves around the rich history of the world’s oldest distillery: Lucas Bols, which dates back to 1575. Lucas Bols and Rembrandt were neighbours and Rembrandt once paid one of his exorbitant bills with a painting produced by one of his students. Today, the painting is on display at the museum.

Apart from tasting and smelling, you can find out more about the art of flair bartending at the Flair Booth where you can practice your juggling skills.

The House of Bols is located at Paulus Potterstraat 14 opposite the Van Gogh Museum. The entrance fee is € 10. This includes a free cocktail of your choice in the Mirror bar. Cheers!

Author David Rich Momondo

 SFERA BUILDING

Photo by Hamip

The Sfera Building is a modern culture house centrally located in Kyoto – right next to the river and one of the main streets. The house consists of a simple and raw functional construction, which on the outside is delicate and refined with a beautiful, organically patterned, perforated metal façade.

The building thus appears to be a simple and clear shape, although a closer look reveals fine details. After dark, the house changes character when the light is switched on behind the metal net.

The recommendation has been selected by Lars Vejen who is Design Manager at Danish architects schmidt hammer lassen. Lars Vejen first time went to Kyoto as a young architect student and has visited the city several times since then and also taught at the Tottori University of Environmental Studies. He recommends visiting Kyoto in spring or autumn. 

Kyoto Machiya

Why book a room in a standard chain hotel when you can stay in an old and traditional Kyoto townhouse 'Kyoto Machiya'. There are several more or less non-profit organizations, which have specialized in buying and renovating the original wooden townhouses in Kyoto. These are rented out for shorter or longer periods of time. Courses in everything from calligraphy and paper production to martial arts and tea-ceremonies are also on offer. It is a marvelous experience and offers a great insight into traditional Japanese culture.

Experiencing the classic Kyoto also includes visits to the cities several gardens, shrines and temples (not necessarily them all!). Rent a bike and see twice as much in half the time!

The recommendation has been selected by Lars Vejen who is Design Manager at Danish architects schmidt hammer lassen. Lars Vejen first time went to Kyoto as a young architect student and has visited the city several times since then and also taught at the Tottori University of Environmental Studies. He recommends visiting Kyoto in spring or autumn.

Ueda Yuba

Fed up with Kobe-steak? The Juba-restaurant Ueda Yuba on Kitaoji Dori in the northern part of Kyoto has specialized in serving only vegetarian food - including food produced from yuba, which is a tofu by-product (yuba is also known as tofu skin) . It is really impressing how much taste you can get out of something with so little flavour as tofu, but best of all – yuba is ridiciously healthy!

Ueda Yuba is located in an old traditional house with high ceilings and impressive constructions in wood. It is all in all a very atmospheric and local restaurant.

The recommendation has been selected by Lars Vejen who is Design Manager at Danish architects schmidt hammer lassen. Lars Vejen first time went to Kyoto as a young architect student and has visited the city several times since then and also taught at the Tottori University of Environmental Studies. He recommends visiting Kyoto in spring or autumn.