Michelle Obama rocks chopsticks and spicy hotpot with ease  

火鍋店員工：米歇爾用筷子很熟練 贊川劇變臉如魔術

盡管只與米歇爾一家近距離接觸了不到兩個小時，但米歇爾對成都美食和文化的濃烈興趣讓石婭娜印象深刻。25日傍晚，米歇爾一家在寬窄巷子大妙火鍋店就餐，品味了最成都的美食———川味火鍋，石婭娜是為她們全程服務的服務員。 [查看全文]

(ECNS) – US first lady Michelle Obama and her family got a taste of famous "Sichuan hotpot" and showed great interest in the local culture on the last day of their visit in Chengdu, the local Chengdu Business Daily.[Special coverage]

Shi Yana, a waitress at Damiao Hotpot who speaks English and serves the US Consular staff, was designated to wait on the Obama family on Wednesday night.

"I was awaiting them at the table they had booked," Shi said. Their table was No. 15 in the dining hall.

The restaurant served 11 dishes to the table, which were ordered by the Obama family themselves, according to Shi.

They ordered a two-flavor pot, with spicy and non-spicy soups. What impressed Shi was that the first lady likes spicy food.

And according to Fei Zhiqiang, head chef at the restaurant, the spiciness of the soup served to the Obama family wasn't reduced.

Mrs Obama was also skilled with her chopsticks, said Shi.

Shi added that the family was very refined and courteous during the two-hour meal. "Each time I brought the dishes to their table, they would say 'thank you'," Shi added.

The meal cost the family 1,316 yuan, including 570 yuan on drinks.

Mrs Obama also showed great interest in the Sichuan Opera skill of "Changing Faces," Shi said. "She even put down her chopsticks to concentrate on the show."

The US first lady said the skill was like "magic" while she posed for a group photo after her dinner.

The first lady's visit has created a business opportunity for the restaurant. According to Fan Zongfei, general manager of Damiao, the restaurant may launch a "US First Lady Combo" for guests.

Here is the list of dishes the Obama family ordered:

Australian beef of S-level, 2

Damiao Meatballs served with cilantro

Damiao Tofu Pudding

Quail eggs

Chinese cabbage

Potato

Damiao Dried bamboo shoot

Mushrooms

Pickles, 5

Dried noodle

Red wine (Jacob's Creek)

Evian Water, 2