Quan Hongchan's Brother Eliminated from Cooking Show After Judges Criticize His Free-Range Chicken Dish, But Netizens Cheer: "The Judges Are Definitely Not Cantonese!"

Chinese diving sensation Quan Hongchan’s older brother, Quan Jinhua, is making headlines—not for his athletic prowess, but for his cooking! Recently, he appeared on a cooking show where he faced a heated debate with the judges over a classic Cantonese dish.

Jinhua’s dish of choice was bai qie ji (poached chicken), a beloved staple in his hometown of Zhanjiang. To create the dish, he used a free-range chicken that had been raised for 180 days, believing its firm, flavorful meat was key to an authentic taste. However, the judges had other ideas. They criticized the chicken for being "too tough" and ultimately eliminated him from the competition.

A Culinary Clash of Cultures

During the show, Jinhua stood his ground, explaining that in Guangdong, true bai qie ji is made with an older, more robust chicken for its chewy texture and rich flavor. He noted that using a younger, 30-day-old broiler chicken is considered "inauthentic" in local restaurants. While the judges stuck to a more universal culinary standard that favors tender meat, the online community erupted in support of Jinhua.

"A 180-day chicken actually tastes like chicken, while factory-farmed ones are just watery!" one netizen commented. Another added, "In Zhanjiang, if a restaurant owner used a young chicken, they'd never have a customer return!"

From Olympic Stand to Streaming Star

This isn't the first time Jinhua has captured the public's attention. He famously went viral during the Paris 2024 Olympics when he surprised his sister at the women's 10m platform diving final, where she successfully defended her gold medal.

Teary-eyed with pride, he told reporters, "When she comes home, I'll make her our Zhanjiang roasted pork and bai qie ji!" Their touching reunion and playful banter melted hearts worldwide. Quan Hongchan later shared how seeing her brother, who had rarely traveled outside their province, made her feel incredibly proud.

Since then, Jinhua has embarked on a new journey as a "Sannong" (agriculture, rural areas, and farmers) livestreamer. He uses his platform to promote local fruits and agricultural products from Zhanjiang, often featuring his mother in his videos. Despite facing some online criticism, he remains dedicated to his cause.

"My mom isn't in the best of health, so this work gives me the freedom to take care of her," Jinhua explained. "Plus, our area grows a lot of fruit, especially pineapples, and they often struggle with oversupply. I want to use my platform to help my family, our village, and even other places sell their products and prevent them from going to waste."

Jinhua's story is a heartwarming blend of family pride, cultural heritage, and a passion for helping his community. He may not have won the cooking competition, but he's certainly won the support of foodies and fans across the internet.