. . many leagues beyond "Confucius say".

"Good cooking, however, does not depend on whether the dish is large or small, expensive or economical. If one has the art then a piece of celery or salted cabbage can be made into a marvellous delicacy; whereas if one has not the art, not all the greatest delicacies and rarities of the land, sea or sky are of any avail." - Wang Hsiao-yu c. 1800.