F&F Reception

Last night, the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chengdu hosted U.S. Soccer's Friends and Family Program, Members of the Sichuan American Chamber of Commerce and the U.S Consulate in Chengdu for a spectacular evening complete with dinner, drinks and traditional Chinese entertainment. The evening kicked off with a reception and concluded with a specially prepared dinner for 50 or so guests in the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza. The Grand Ballroom was festively decorated with Chinese decor that included stuffed pandas, Chinese lamps, and a magnificent ice sculpture of the Women's World Cup trophy. Guests were served a traditional Sichuan five course meal which included such dishes as Sichuan BBQ Pork, Steamed Cod Fish fillet with Soya Sauce, Dan Dan Noodles, Iced Green Bean Paste and a selection of seasonal fresh fruits. Throughout the exceptional meal, guests were entertained by a traditional Sichuan dance show, relaxing instrumental performances and a mask changing show called bianlian. Presents of gratitude were exchanged as former U.S. Soccer President Dr. Bob Contiguglia presented Mr. Ted Durham, General Manager of The Crowne Plaza Hotel, with a special edition U.S. Women's National Team crystal, while Mr. Durham distributed stuffed pandas to all those in attendance. Food, entertainment, drinks and pandas? It doesn’t get much better than that.