Zhong Yunyan with international students in the kitchen. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

Every week, a warm home-cooked meal brings the flavors of rural China to a classroom of international students in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

At the Red Peony International Garden in the city's Jiulonghu town, the aroma of roasted bamboo shoots and fried potatoes signals more than lunch — it's the arrival of Zhong Yunyan. This 55-year-old local is a beloved cook and known to students as their "Chinese mom".

Zhong has spent the past year preparing and delivering traditional farmhouse dishes to the students of the international community class, an initiative led by educator Jiang Hongsheng.

"To me, these students started as guests but have become part of our family," Zhong said. "I treat them like my own children."

Zhong's dedication doesn't end with food. She also volunteers as a translator for elderly villagers during art workshops and community events.

"Her kindness and commitment reflect Ningbo's rural culture," said Jiang, founder of the community class, "Her meals not only fill bellies but bridge cultures."

In a small kitchen in Jiulonghu, flavors of Ningbo meet friendships from around the world — one dish at a time.

Editor: Zhong Xinyi