Bamboo shoots may be a humble kitchen staple, but in Qingyuan’s Yingde City, they’ve sparked a festival-sized frenzy. At the recent “Shoot King” competition,  farmers, food lovers, filled the venue to cheer on entries in this lighthearted—and fiercely contested—event.

Forty local growers proudly presented their finest bamboo shoots, each carefully measured for weight, height, diameter, and appearance. A panel of five experts tallied scores, while a 100-strong audience jury cast live votes, ensuring the winner would earn both professional acclaim and public approval.

When the numbers were tallied, one grower’s 43.7-jin (21.85 kg) giant shoot claimed the crown—and a 10,000 yuan prize. The victory celebrated the region’s famed “Ma Bamboo” variety, prized for its impressive size and tender bite—a variety that’s been cultivated here for over two centuries.

With more than 170,000 people employed in the local bamboo-shoot industry and 91,000 farming households, Qingyuan plans to team up with top restaurants. Together, they’ll debut a range of bamboo-shoot dishes at varying price points, so diners nationwide can savor the fresh crunch that’s made this rural specialty an ingredient for culinary innovation.