The first Tibetan cuisine contest has been held Thursday in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

The contest sponsored by the regional tourism bureau attracted 60 competitors from 11 restaurants.

The contest consisted of a group competition and an individual competition. The group competition required five members of a group to make eight dishes within a limited time while in the individual competition a competitor has to make six dishes.

Zhanor, deputy director of the regional tourism bureau, said cuisine was an important component part of the Tibetan culture and the competition was helpful in promoting the Tibetan cooking culture.

Bianci, a competitor, said he entered the contest as an occasion to learn from others and exchange cooking skills.

"I hope Tibetan cuisine will become increasingly popular to non-Tibetans after the contest," Bianci said.

According to tourism authorities, more tourists are coming to Tibet and taking an interest in Tibetan cuisine. Currently, there are more than 100 Tibetan cuisine restaurants in Lhasa alone.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2003)