"It's great that not only Chinese people come to try Chinese food," says Lu. "It's also an easy way for foreigners to learn more about Chinese culture."

"And it's also good for the Chinese restaurants we have previously visited over the past three years, as they have become more popular after our trips," Lu says.

Lin sees a promising future for Chinese food in Panama: "They need to use the best local ingredients and improve the plating to make better Cantonese dishes."

On their second last stop, Omaha in the US, the chefs visited the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College to meet culinary students and discuss Chinese food with them.

According to Lu, during the past three years the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council has organized visits more than 30 countries across five continents.

"Besides taking New Year's dinners worldwide to revive Chinese food traditions, we have also invited Chinese food practitioners abroad to China for training," Lu says. "We teach them not only how to cook Chinese food, but also how to manage their restaurants."