This is what made me curious...why Hunan instead of say, Szechuan? Is it just the alliterative factor? I wondered if this term was coined by a list member of long ago in some undoubtedly hilarious thread or is a long-standing Chinese chef thing that goes back to one of the dynasties or what. I'm loving these delicately worded answers. Deb laughing in Houston danceswithcarp wrote: > Hunan chef cut up many chiles (although I never found Hunan that spicy > meself).