Rise of the 'Mall Olympics'

On hot summer days, many Chinese consumers seek refuge in air-conditioned shopping malls. But these days, they may find more than just stores and restaurants inside. They might discover an unexpected talent and perhaps even win a tiny gold bean.

A month ago, Qian Jinfeng, a resident of Jiaxing, a city in Zhejiang province, unexpectedly became the champion of a pea and garlic peeling competition held at a shopping mall near her home.

She defeated nearly 100 competitors, including a "professional" rival sitting next to her — a middle-aged homemaker with years of kitchen experience.

The rules were straightforward. In the first round, contestants shelled green peas, with the fastest 50 advancing to the final. They were then required to peel 40 cloves of garlic completely and neatly. The winner would receive a small piece of pure gold shaped like a bean.

Even Qian was surprised by her victory. She had little experience in the kitchen and entered the competition almost by chance. She had accompanied her niece to the mall when she noticed a crowd gathering around a poster promoting what she considered a "ridiculous" contest.

"I just thought it looked fun," she says.