Well, for everyday meals, people in Shanghai usually go for quick, simple dishes that are easy to prepare after work - things like stir-fried vegetables with rice or noodles. But for special occasions, like the project celebration I mentioned earlier, we tend to choose more elaborate dishes that take time to make or order from nice restaurants. The chocolate cake I baked for my team wasn't something I'd make on a regular Tuesday night!
Another difference is that everyday food focuses more on nutrition and convenience, while special occasion meals are about creating memories and marking important moments. Like during Chinese New Year, my family in Hangzhou always prepares a whole fish, which symbolizes abundance - it's not just about eating, but carrying on traditions.
That said, sometimes simple everyday meals can become special too, like when my colleagues and I share homemade lunches at work - it's the company that makes it meaningful.