Jan Hwang-june (middle), a Chinese-American chef from Taiwan, stands with New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (right) and New York City Councilman Peter Koo (left), during a celebration on Dec 12 in New York. Jan won a gold medal at the 2014 Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup from Nov 22 to 26 in Luxembourg. With 50 years of experience, the chef has been participating international cuisine competitions since 1983 and has won 16 medals so far. GONG WENMO / FOR CHINA DAILY