Universities in China have long produced doctors, engineers, lawyers, educators and business professionals. Now one in Hunan province will produce barbecue chefs.

长期以来，中国的大学培养了医生、工程师、律师、教育工作者和商业专业人士。现在湖南省有一家将培养烧烤厨师。

Yueyang, a city known for its succulent barbecue cuisine, has launched the first barbecue college in China to standardize the booming industry and boost local economic growth.

岳阳是一个以多汁的烧烤美食而闻名的城市，它开设了中国第一所烧烤学院，以规范蓬勃发展的行业，促进当地经济增长。

Yueyang Open University has joined hands with the Yueyang Barbecue Association to create China's first vocational education platform dedicated to barbecue.

岳阳开放大学与岳阳市烧烤协会携手打造中国首个烧烤职业教育平台。

A strategic agreement, which also involves the local government, has initiated the creation of the Yueyang Barbecue Research Institute and the Yueyang Barbecue Industry College, whose goals are to train specialized talent, standardize culinary and business practices, and promote the well-known barbecue sector.

一项也涉及当地政府的战略协议启动了岳阳烧烤研究所和岳阳烧烤产业学院的创建，其目标是培养专业人才，规范烹饪和商业实践，促进知名烧烤行业的发展。

The initiative reflects a deep ambition, said Yue Yanhua, Party secretary of Yueyang Open University. "The institute is expected to transform what is now a store-based barbecue economy into a more structured and integrated industry chain," he said.

岳阳开放大学党委书记乐艳华表示，这一举措反映了一种雄心壮志。他说：“该研究所有望将现在以商店为基础的烧烤经济转变为一个更加结构化和一体化的产业链。”

The institute will take the lead in drafting the "Yueyang Barbecue Industry Standard", and develop talent evaluation methods as well as outline a development plan, he added.

他补充说，该研究所将牵头起草《岳阳烧烤行业标准》，制定人才评估方法，并制定发展规划。

Barbecue has become a central part of the catering economy of Yueyang, which is home to more than 2,000 barbecue shops and their 50,000 employees, with an estimated annual output exceeding 2 billion yuan ($280 million).

烧烤已成为岳阳餐饮经济的核心部分，岳阳拥有2000多家烧烤店和5万名员工，估计年产值超过20亿元人民币（2.8亿美元）。

Jiang Zongfu, vice-president of Yueyang Open University, said the establishment of the barbecue college is a response to employment challenges faced by local residents, especially young people.

岳阳开放大学副校长姜宗福表示，烧烤学院的成立是为了应对当地居民，尤其是年轻人面临的就业挑战。

"Many junior high school graduates who enter the labor market struggle to find appropriate opportunities," he said, adding that barbecue jobs have become popular because of their low entry threshold and relatively high income potential.

他说：“许多进入劳动力市场的初中毕业生很难找到合适的机会。”他补充说，烧烤工作之所以受到欢迎，是因为他们的进入门槛低，收入潜力相对较高。

The initiative has been met with some skepticism. Some people are wondering if formal education in the field would actually help sustain the barbecue industry.

这一倡议遭到了一些怀疑。有些人想知道，该领域的正规教育是否真的有助于维持烧烤行业。

"I'd like to adopt a wait-and-watch approach here," said a local barbecue shop owner surnamed Chen. "The essence of the art of barbecue lies in long-term practical experience. Handling certain tastes requires years of honing skills."

当地一位姓陈的烧烤店老板说：“我想在这里采取观望的态度。”。“烧烤艺术的精髓在于长期的实践经验。处理某些口味需要多年的磨练技巧。”

However, Jiang, vice-president of the university, said that the institute will study and plan the development of the entire barbecue industry chain, including the production of seasonings, meat handling, vegetable processing, logistics and operations — all of which require skilled workers.

然而，该大学副校长姜表示，该研究所将研究和规划整个烧烤产业链的发展，包括调味品生产、肉类处理、蔬菜加工、物流和运营，所有这些都需要熟练的工人。

The Yueyang Barbecue Industry College promises to fulfill the need for skilled workers in the field and also provide a structured training system tailored for diverse groups.

岳阳烧烤产业学院承诺满足该领域对技术工人的需求，并为不同群体提供量身定制的结构化培训体系。

Starting this year, the college will partner with the local human resources bureau to provide 10 days of free government-funded training for some 300 unemployed people. Short-term courses and entrepreneurship instructions will prioritize hands-on learning of the skills needed to start small barbecue businesses.

从今年开始，该学院将与当地人力资源局合作，为约300名失业人员提供为期10天的免费政府资助培训。短期课程和创业指导将优先考虑动手学习创办小型烧烤企业所需的技能。

Starting next year, the college will enroll 50 to 100 junior high school graduates annually for a full-time vocational program lasting three years. For the general public, it will offer courses spanning from six months to one year, aiming to train 1,000 barbecue specialists within three years.

从明年开始，该学院每年将招收50至100名初中毕业生参加为期三年的全日制职业课程。对于普通公众，它将提供为期六个月至一年的课程，旨在三年内培训1000名烧烤专家。

The curriculum is being jointly developed by the university and the association. Two core courses — one on barbecue craftsmanship and the other on business management — are currently in preparation. They will combine theory and practice and will be delivered jointly by university professors, experienced barbecue practitioners and local business owners.

该课程由大学和协会联合开发。目前正在准备两门核心课程，一门是烧烤工艺，另一门是商业管理。他们将理论与实践相结合，由大学教授、经验丰富的烧烤从业者和当地企业主共同授课。

"This is a new field for formal education," said Qiao Binbin, secretary-general of the Yueyang Barbecue Association. "Senior barbecue chefs from leading restaurants will design course content, covering food preparation techniques, hygiene, handling of materials, store operations and online marketing."

岳阳烧烤协会秘书长乔彬彬说：“这是正规教育的一个新领域。”。“来自领先餐厅的高级烧烤厨师将设计课程内容，涵盖食物准备技术、卫生、材料处理、商店运营和在线营销。”

The instructors will include master grillers and livestreaming experts, who will inform students about traditional and digital business environments. The association will coordinate with around 50 local barbecue businesses to provide internships and job opportunities for graduates.

讲师将包括烧烤大师和直播专家，他们将向学生介绍传统和数字商业环境。该协会将与约50家当地烧烤企业协调，为毕业生提供实习和就业机会。

Unlike cities such as Zibo in Shandong province and other places in northeastern China, Yueyang is taking a different route in the barbecue sector. Representing the southern school of Chinese barbecue, Yueyang's local cuisine is deeply rooted in the region's culinary traditions, which establishes it as a renowned brand, she said.

与山东省淄博市和中国东北其他地方不同，岳阳在烧烤行业采取了不同的路线。她说，岳阳的当地美食代表了中国烧烤的南方流派，深深植根于该地区的烹饪传统，这使其成为一个知名品牌。

However, the industry faces challenges such as inconsistent standards, limited professional training, and a growing skills gap. The initiative is expected to help improve the standards and promote the brand.

然而，该行业面临着不一致的标准、有限的专业培训和日益扩大的技能差距等挑战。该倡议有望帮助提高标准，推广品牌。

"The Yueyang barbecue industry has grown rapidly in recent years, but the standards vary widely," Qiao said. "Everyone uses the name, but there's little consistency. We need unified standards and professional talent to carry the industry forward."

“岳阳烧烤行业近年来发展迅速，但标准差异很大，”乔说。“每个人都用这个名字，但几乎没有一致性。我们需要统一的标准和专业人才来推动行业向前发展。”

The launch of the barbecue research institute and industry college follows a policy shift at the national level.

烧烤研究所和工业学院的成立是国家层面政策转变的结果。

In May, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security proposed 17 new occupations that included barbecue chef. This marked the first formal recognition of this field of culinary art and signaled a need for regulation.

今年5月，人力资源和社会保障部提出了17个新的职业，其中包括烧烤厨师。这标志着这一烹饪艺术领域首次得到正式认可，并表明需要监管。

culinary

n.烹饪

/ˈkʌlɪnəri/

skepticism

n.怀疑态度

/ˈskeptɪsɪz(ə)m/