I'm a former Kunming resident, and I'm headed back to report a story about er kuai for an American magazine. I'll be in Yunnan just after Golden Week, and I need to find contacts in Kunming, Dali, and Tengchong who can help me set up factory tours, learn about the food's history, etc. If anyone has a contact they can pass on, I would be very grateful. (And I'd be more than happy to treat helpful people to dinner when I'm in town!) Thanks so much.

Wow, getting treated to a mouth watering Kunming dinner for helping out for a magazine article. Can't see why more people haven't jumped on this offer.

Why not? Would be interesting, but I've no contacts with factories, and I could use a good Chinese dinner right now.

i could use a good chinese takeaway now

On my way to McCormicks and Schmidts for a rib roast. Enjoy your Chinese (oil) food fellas.