Yueyang will launch a new Barbecue Research nstitute to train 1,000 skilled grill masters, combining traditional Chinese barbecue techniques with modern education.
Yueyang Open University has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Yueyang City Barbecue Association. Together, they will launch the Yueyang Barbecue Research Institute, focusing on talent development in the city’s booming barbecue industry.
The institute plans to offer customized courses such as Yueyang Barbecue Techniques and Barbecue Business Management. Over the next three years, it aims to train 1,000 new-generation barbecue professionals—known locally as “Yueyang Grill Masters”—who combine both theory and hands-on skills.
Courses will include both classroom learning and practical training. Many members of the Barbecue Association, including seasoned grill chefs and well-known local restaurant owners, will serve as instructors and mentors.
Textbooks and industry standards are also under development this year, ensuring the program supports long-term growth and professionalization.
In May, China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced 17 proposed new occupations. One of them is Barbecue Chef, a recognition of the growing importance of this profession.
Barbecue has deep roots in Yueyang. It began in the 1980s on Miaoqian Dajie and gradually evolved into one of Hunan Province’s most iconic culinary traditions. Local chefs have adapted traditional barbecue styles to suit regional ingredients and tastes. Today, Yueyang offers more than 300 varieties—from classic beef and lamb skewers to creative dishes like grilled beef fat, tendon, shrimp, vegetables, and more.
This new institute aims to preserve that rich tradition while driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional pride.
Additional reporting by xxcb.cn.
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