Chefs get head start on flower-shaped buns

Pastry chefs in Guangping county of Handan, Hebei province, make flower-shaped buns, or huamo, for activities associated with Chinese Lunar New Year. [Photo by Cheng Xuehu/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Pastry chefs in Guangping county of Handan, Hebei province, have started to make flower-shaped buns, or huamo, for activities associated with Chinese Lunar New Year.

Whenever celebrations or major events take place — festivals, weddings, birthdays, and the like — residents in Guangping will make huamo to entertain guests.

Beyond flower shapes, chefs have been innovative, rolling out different shapes, including animals and auspicious objects.