参考答案:
The traditional Chinese hospitality requires food diversity, so that guests
will be full before eating up all the dishes. A typical Chinese banquet menu
includes cold dishes served at the beginning, followed by hot dishes, such as
meat, poultry, vegetables, etc. At most banquets, the whole fish is considered
to be essential, unless various kinds of seafood have been served already.
Today, Chinese people would like to combine Western specialties with traditional
Chinese dishes. Therefore, it is not rare to see steak being served as well.
Salad is gaining popularity, although traditionally the Chinese people generally
do not eat any food without cooking. There is usually at least a bowl of soup,
served at the beginning or in the end of the dinner party. Desserts and fruit
usually mark the end of the feast.