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Judges taste the Shengzhou steamed buns. [Photo/Tide News]

A steamed bun-making competition held in Shengzhou, Shaoxing, on Dec 30, 2025, which drew crowds of spectators, ended up turning into an impromptu onsite talent recruitment fair. Contestants showcased their skills in kneading dough, filling, and steaming. The top three winners were each awarded a BYD car worth 100,000 yuan ($14324.84), while other participants received cash prizes and direct job offers from local snack food companies.

At the event, 10 major local companies competed for skilled talent by offering high annual salaries, sign-on bonuses, and even overseas job opportunities. This highlights the "sweet challenge" faced by Shengzhou's booming snack industry: as the sector expands rapidly, skilled artisans are in short supply, despite monthly salaries exceeding 10,000 yuan.

Shengzhou steamed buns — a signature local delicacy of Shengzhou, Shaoxing. [Photo/Tide News]

To address this talent shortage, Shengzhou launched a "10,000-Person Training Program" for steamed bun making in May 2025. The program established 81 training sites across the city, where experienced chefs teach the craft. To date, over 100 training sessions have been conducted, training more than 10,000 participants and successfully placing over 1,000 people in jobs.

Represented by its iconic steamed buns, the Shengzhou snack industry has become a major driver of local prosperity, with annual output surpassing 20 billion yuan domestically and internationally. More than 30,000 stores operate globally, employing over 100,000 people.