Ring in the New Year at New Taipei City’s markets – Mayor Hou Yu-ih and model Rita PK cooking skills

The New Taipei City Market Administration has gathered public markets across the city to host the “2018 New Taipei City Markets: Ring in the New Year” event from the 24th until February 11. The event features limited-edition premium New Year’s Eve meal sets at unbeatable prices, with luxury seafood sets discounted up to 57% off. Additionally, five-star chefs have been invited to launch the “New Taipei City Markets Five-Star Recipe Book,” helping locals easily cook restaurant-quality dishes at home. On the 23rd, Deputy Mayor Hou Yu-ih even went head-to-head with newbie mom and celebrity Rita in a New Year’s dish cooking competition – and their skills were evenly matched.

The Market Administration noted that this year, New Taipei City has launched the “New Taipei City Markets Five-Star Recipe Book,” featuring seven dishes and one soup designed by Chef Deng Weihan, deputy head chef of a five-star hotel. In addition to preserving traditional festive favorites, the menu also specially incorporates healthy ingredients such as black garlic and red quinoa, along with international cuisine elements, adding unique flavors to the New Year spread.

At the press conference on the 23rd, Deputy Mayor Hou Yu-ih and rookie mom Rita competed in making five-star New Year’s dishes. Hou demonstrated the classic traditional dish “Blue Crab with Red Quinoa and Pearl Rice,” while Rita presented a creative international dish, “Gold Brick New Year Cake paired with European-style Fresh Berry Dumplings.”

The competition was intense, and in just 10 minutes, two star-worthy delicacies were served. Hou Yu-ih even had the audience smell the fragrance of the rice cake he made himself. Rita mentioned that the recipes were not only simple and easy to follow at home, but also included yogurt – a common ingredient from her native Ukraine – giving her a taste of home.

Hou Yu-ih said that as the New Year approaches, traditional markets become livelier, with moms rushing to buy ingredients for festive meals. This year, the city government has specially introduced a five-star recipe book with clear steps and simple cooking methods, so everyone can, just like him, easily prepare an impressive dish like “Blue Crab with Red Quinoa and Pearl Rice.”

The Market Administration stated that this event offers limited-edition New Year’s meal sets under a thousand NT dollars. Luxury seafood, festive dishes, and worship offering meat sets are available for early online pre-order. Starting at 12 noon on the 24th, the public can rush to grab these great pre-order deals online.

Luxury Seafood Set – includes two high-pressure fresh-frozen Boston lobsters and one white pomfret, originally priced at 2,350 NT, now available for 999 NT during pre-order; Festive Dishes – Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Three Delicacies Platter, originally 1,700 NT, now 888 NT during pre-order; Essential Worship Meat Set for the New Year, originally 1,200 NT, now 666 NT during pre-order. More discounted festive dishes are also available for easy online purchase on the event’s official website.

The Market Administration added that besides various promotional deals, they have also created limited-edition multi-purpose “Year of the Dog Prosperity Gold.” On February 10 and 11, for two consecutive days, Mayor Chu and Deputy Mayor Hou will personally distribute them for free during street New Year visits in Sanxia Market and Xinzhuang First Market. The public is welcome to experience the festive atmosphere at New Taipei City’s markets. To let more people experience the New Taipei New Year flavor, there will also be events such as calligraphy for Spring Festival couplets and distribution of limited red turtle cakes and other treats. Visit http://www.goodmarketslife.com.tw for more details.