The differences in social culture and historical development between China and the West (represented by the United States) have created the differences between Chinese and Western catering cultures. Some people vividly say: if the Chinese meal culture is like a mixed chorus, then western food (meal) is like a romantic serenade; If Chinese restaurants are full of masculinity, western restaurants are full of feminine beauty; Chinese restaurants create a place for public friends, while western restaurants create a space for private trysts, which shows the essential differences between Chinese and western catering cultures. Understanding these differences, analyzing and comparing these differences, and skillfully handling these differences in management are an important problem faced by Chinese food chain enterprises.

Chinese food catering culture

China catering culture has a long history and is an important part of the treasure house of Chinese culture. Together with French and Turkish cooking, it is called the world's three major cooking systems, and it is also a place that our Chinese people are proud of. Chinese food culture has colorful cultural connotations and solid technical foundation. It is the crystallization of culture, science and art, with taste as the core and cultivation as the purpose. Different geographical locations and nationalities have different styles, but it is also an unparalleled catering culture. There are many kinds of local delicacies with unique flavor, which are fragrant and popular all over the world, deeply attracting countless overseas lovers. It can also be said that diet kung fu is also a kind of knowledge, a prominent feature and a way of communication.

connotative culture

Chinese food culture has always paid attention to color, fragrance and taste, and paid attention to the form of catering, which can be summarized by "essence", "beauty" and "emotion". These words reflect the unique cultural background of food quality, aesthetic experience, emotional activities and social functions in the process of food activities, and also reflect the close relationship between food culture and Chinese excellent traditional culture.

Refinement is a summary of the inherent quality of Chinese food culture. As a cultural spirit, this awareness of fine products permeates and implements the whole process of food activities. The selection of ingredients, cooking, compatibility and even the eating environment all embody the word "essence".

Beauty embodies the aesthetic characteristics of food culture. One of the important reasons why Chinese food can conquer the world lies in its beauty. This kind of beauty refers to the perfect unity of the form and content of China's dietary activities, and refers to the aesthetic pleasure and spiritual enjoyment it brings to people. The beauty of Chinese food is not only manifested in the taste, but also in the form, color, utensils and even the clothing of the service personnel, which makes people feel the impact and enjoyment of beauty all the time. It can be seen that beauty, as a basic connotation of food culture, is the charm of Chinese food, which runs through every link of food activities.

Emotion, Chinese culture has always been linked by emotion. Similarly, Chinese food "emotion" is an important function. In China, eating is actually a medium of emotional communication between people and a unique social activity. While eating, chatting, talking about business, exchanging information and interviewing. Throughout the ages, China people used to express their feelings of farewell or welcome at the dinner table, and people often resorted to dining tables to calm down their emotional turmoil. With the accelerated pace of social life, people pay more and more attention to the social adjustment function and psychological massage function of diet activities.

essence, beauty, affection and propriety respectively summarize the basic connotation of Chinese food culture from different angles, in other words, these four aspects organically constitute the overall concept of Chinese food culture. Essence and beauty focus on the image and quality of diet, while affection and courtesy focus on the mentality, customs and social functions of diet. However, they do not exist in isolation, but are interdependent and mutually causal. Only its "essence" can have a complete "beauty"; Only its "beauty" can inspire "love"; Only "affection" can conform to the "ceremony" of the times. The four are closely linked and perfectly unified, forming the highest realm of Chinese food culture. Only by accurately grasping "essence, beauty, affection and courtesy" can we deeply understand Chinese food culture and better inherit and carry forward Chinese food culture.

formal culture

Chinese food often pays attention to fine and exquisite ingredients, ever-changing and varied skills. From the point of view of knife skill, it requires the consistent cooperation of eye, knife and heart to reach a certain level. In the cooking process, it is necessary to grasp the temperature and taste, which shows the profoundness of China culture. Out of the dish, it is a disc, which is harmonious, and it can also reflect that China people are born of gathering gas. They are mainly round, peaceful and Confucian, and are often enjoyed by everyone, eating with chopsticks, dexterous and good at thinking, and the rational and intellectual image of China people is vividly displayed in their diet. Co-catering culture

Chinese catering generally takes the form of round-table dining, which is an important manifestation of China catering culture and can often create a harmonious atmosphere. Catering culture is a living habit and cultural tradition formed and preserved by a country or a nation under long-term historical conditions (the dining form of Chinese catering embodies some characteristics of China's catering cultural tradition), and Chinese people have long been accustomed to this dining way.

western food culture

western food culture is very different from Chinese food culture. western food culture is formed on the basis of western traditional culture and through the continuous improvement of modern industrial culture, which invisibly permeates some aspects of western cultural tradition, such as "equality", "freedom", "hygiene" and "privacy".

leisure culture

fast food restaurants are the most popular in the United States, and the fast food culture in the United States reflects leisure culture. French fries, fried chicken, drinks and so on are the most common things in western recipes. It is these ordinary things that can't be seen on the big table in Chinese food that have become big enterprises in the world, such as McDonald's and KFC. This may be related to Americans' concept of time and lifestyle. The United States pays attention to efficiency and is the most informal. The booming of fast food culture in the United States is probably related to their nature. Hygiene, efficiency, time saving and leisure romance of fast food are the cultural basis for the development and growth of western fast food.

equality and free culture

in Chinese food, the placement of seats, the placement of tableware, the rules of eating and the behavior at the dinner table are all restricted by the rules and regulations established by traditional culture, not to mention the identity, respect and hobbies of the guests. In western food, the diet is always a manifestation of equality and freedom for everyone. Everyone decides the type and weight of food independently, and it is suitable for different meals, and it is rich and frugal for himself. In most occasions, the "AA" system is implemented. Eating is your own business, and everyone can sit together and enjoy food equally and freely.

separate dining culture

western dining is used to long tables, and a separate dining system is implemented, that is, each person orders his own food and holds one. The most common dish service is to pack meals into each plate in the kitchen, which is served by the waiter from the kitchen and then sent to each guest quickly and politely. On the surface, the form of western food seems to be less lively and more polite and independent, but the most important thing in essence is to embody hygiene. The dining system can also embody the concept of moderate frugality and reasonable diet, and overcome the shortcomings of Chinese food, such as ostentation and extravagance. The dishes and staple food of the separate meal system are quantified by people, which can reduce waste. Whether it is a pre-meal snack or a main meal, the ingredients are linked to the diners' food intake, and the number of dishes is as few as possible, but each meal is guaranteed to be finished. The separate dining system enables each guest to have a clear quantitative concept of the number of individual meals, which is beneficial to health while reducing waste. Our current buffets and cold dinners also embody this purpose.