Jointly organised by New Asia College and the New Asia College Alumni Association, and co-organised with New Asia Middle School, the First Lecture of the New Asia Cultural Talks 2025/26 was successfully held on 25 October 2025 at New Asia Middle School.

The guest speaker of the lecture was Dr. Ng Shui-hing Sonia who is a historian and multi-platform creator, and it was moderated by College alumnus Ms. Fung Chun-kam.

During the lecture, Dr. Ng guided the audiences through the rich heritage of Chinese culinary traditions. Drawing from classical texts such as Songs of Chu, Book of Songs and Book of Rites, the talk illustrated how food was deeply intertwined with ritual, emotion and philosophy in ancient times. Archaeological imagery, literary excerpts and cooking techniques were also explored to enrich the narrative. A highlight of the lecture was the concept of “One Slice” culture, as Lüshi Chunqiu goes, “To taste one slice of meat is to know the flavour of the whole pot”. This reflects the ancient appreciation for culinary finesse and the philosophical depth embedded in food tasting.

The lecture also featured visual materials such as Han dynasty kitchen reliefs, Tang dynasty figurines, and historical records from Korea and Japan, offering insights into the evolution and cross-cultural exchange of East Asian food traditions. Literary references from Su Dongpo, Lu You and Cao Zhi showcased how ancient scholars transformed culinary experiences into poetic art.

The event received enthusiastic support from New Asia alumni, students and public audiences. The lively atmosphere and active engagement reflected the audiences’ keen interest in the subject. Participants left with a deeper understanding of ancient food culture and a renewed perspective on modern culinary practices.