Chefs prepare to cook puffer fish in a giant pot at the freshwater fish festival that opened in Yonglian Village of Zhangjiagang city, Jiangsu province on April 2. [Photo from WeChat account zjgcitynews]

Zhangjiagang city in Jiangsu province, a "Land of Fish and Rice" nourished by copious freshwater, welcomed its annual 30-day freshwater fish festival on April 2.

People from the port city and surrounding areas came to "battle" against the puffer fish, the long-standing first place treat among local aquatic offerings, which is also a life-and-death challenge in that only certified chefs can serve the fish, the blood of which is laden with the poison tetrodotoxin.

But nothing can ever stop a foodie's pilgrimage.

At around 11 am, using more than 1,000 puffer fish, chefs employed all their skills to cook the dish in a giant pot with a diameter of three meters and a depth of around one meter – a big challenge to fully bring out the flavors and fragrance as traditionally the dish is served in small, delicate bowls.