A cook prepares the buffet at Brazilian Churrascos. (Photo: Courtesy of Pei Pei)
Good food, friendly environment
Aside from the delicious food, diners told Metropolitan that they were also impressed by the warmth and enthusiasm exuded by the cooks.
Zhao said he loves his job a lot. He started to learn how to cook Brazilian food in 2006 and gradually fell in love with the lively, welcoming atmosphere.
"I have been doing my job for 10 years now, and I never thought about quitting," Zhao said. "I like the Brazilian cooking method. Every time the meat is roasted, I need to rotate it all the time, and it feels like my hands and feet are dancing around. It's just like I'm boxing."
He especially enjoys sharing his delicious food with guests. "I feel very warm when my guests appreciate the flavor of the food. It's a big yes for my effort," Zhao said.
For Brazilian cooks who live and work in China, preparing a meal in the Middle Kingdom has an even deeper meaning - it's like recreating a piece of home.
Wellington Oliveira De Melo, a chef at Latina, has been working in China for 12 years and sometimes misses home. Cooking Brazilian food helps ease his nostalgia. When he is cooking, he feels emotionally close to home. "I would also eat some Brazilian food when I miss my family. The taste would make me feel at home," he said.
Culinary diplomacy
The popularity of Brazilian food in China not only caters to its people but also plays a role in developing the relations between Brazil and China.
For Cerbolles, the restaurant is a gathering place for people to experience Brazilian elements in Beijing. He said Chinese people love barbecue and as more Chinese travel abroad, they are more open to new culinary experiences and ethnic cuisines.
He said that many people go the restaurant to eat, talk, and be exposed to Brazilian elements, including Brazilian people, Brazilian-style decoration, and, of course, Brazilian food.
Pei is grateful to the World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games for renewing local awareness of Brazil, its culture, and its food.
"On the day of the opening ceremony, there was a long queue at the entrance," Pei said. "Many people came here to enjoy authentic Brazilian food while they watched the Olympic Games."
Sitting in front of a TV broadcast of the Rio Olympics, Wang looks up at the ceiling which is decorated in the Brazilian style then looks at "Brazilian hall of fame" where photos of Brazilian celebrities are displayed, immersing herself in the Brazilian atmosphere.
"I feel lucky to be able to get so close to Brazilian elements in Beijing. When you step through the door, everything is about Brazil, yet physically you are still in China," Wang said. "I am addicted to the surreal feeling."
