Nicolas C. Solari: April 2004

" Che fan la ma ? "
Not a Chinese proverb but it might as well be. It translates to " Have you eaten yet ? " A common greeting which makes it perfectly clear that the Chinese take their food very seriously.

Savoring local cuisine is an important part of any travel experience and a great way to discover local culture. But while in China, the prospect of the unknown, or day after day of fried rice, is enough to discourage even the most intrepid traveler. But Viking River Cruises has the perfect solution.

Thanks to a long experience in catering business and after being five years in China,
Nicolas C. Solari, Hotel General Manager for Viking in China, had a clear idea of the food requirements of the Westerner in China.

With this idea in mind, we asked famous Chef, Mr. Martin Yan to design all the Chinese treats on board especially for our guest our Viking Ships.

Mr. Solari sent his finest chefs to be trained in Hong Kong by celebrity Chef Martin Yan, to be trained for cooking the offered Chinese food especially for the American palate

A blend of East meet West

As with all facets of your vacation, we make sure your dining experience is top notch. Onboard, our Swiss catering department oversees your meals and alternate between Chinese and Western entrees for the variety you crave you'll enjoy local cuisine, or you can order delicately grilled chicken or tender steak, which are always on the menu. You onboard lunches offer Western food choices, plus a selection of "Martin Yan Created" Chinese options. The Captain will be very proud to treat you and introduce typical dishes from China.

About Mr. Martin Yan

Martin Yan, celebrated host of over 2,000 cooking shows, highly respected food and restaurant consultant, and certified master Chef, enjoys distinction as both authorer and autor. His many talents have found unique expression in 26 well-acclaimed cookbooks.

Born in Guangzhou, China, Chef Yan has always possessed a passion for cooking. However, his formal introduction into the culinary world started at age thirteen when he began his first apprentice ship for a well-established Hong Kong restaurant. After earning his diploma from Overseas Institute of Cookery, Hong Kong, Chef Yan traveled to Canada and then on the United States Before receiving his M.S. in food Science, Chef Yan began to teach Chinese cooking and soon after began hosting the popular show, " Yan Can Cook ".He has been a frequent guest chef-instructor at professional chef program across North America. Chef Yan is the founder of the Yan Can International Cooking School in the San Francisco, Chef Yan now enjoy national and international recognition amongst his peers as a master chef. He has won innumerous awards for his achievements in the Food and Beverage industry, including a 1998 Daytime Emmy Award, a 1996 James Beard award for Best TV Food Journalism and a 1994 James Beard award for Best TV Cooking Show. Along with Paul Prudhomme, he was named Culinary Diplomat for the American Culinary Federation. Along with America's First Lady of cooking, Julia Child, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Culinary Arts from the world's leading culinary training mecca, Johnson & Wales University.
Mr. Martin Yan has captured the admiration and loyal following of millions of cooking fans across the world as he wins their attention and their hearts, by combining his cooking artistry and teaching skill with a most personal and unique ingredient: humor. Chef Yan's cooking shows are as entertaining as they are educational. He is dedicated to furthering the understanding and enjoyment of Chinese and Asian cuisine and culture through spirited fun and entertainment.