I am a native English speaker, university graduate, and Mandarin Chinese speaker from The USA.
It's amazing that proposals from other freelancers claim much fame, then make a grammatical error in the first sentence, followed by another, while applying for a writing job! Other providers have completed many jobs, but are not native English speakers.
Please listen to my audio sample of a Chinese reading in my portfolio:
Portfolio 》中文阅读音频文件
I have rewritten the writing sample you have provided as follows below.
Of ancient times, townsfolk from noblemen to commoners held steadfast to a penchant of a preference settled on mutton, the staple of the day, dotting many a food street in the capital city.
Be that as it may, the entrée of Dongpo Pork changed all that, however. Braised and stewed to a delectable delight, fragrant of wine and enticing all senses, pork uprooted steadfast held habits, opening a door to explore new ways. Once eaten, twice enjoyed, new appetites were sighted, and pork gained its place of favor.
Su Dongpo (Su Shi) of legend, a true-to-life accomplished figure of classical Chinese literature, penning some of the most well-known poems, lyrics, prose, and essays, was also a politician and philosopher. More admirable still was his humility.
Su Shi famed essayist of misconstrued meaning, was long exiled and left to poverty. Nonetheless, unhappy but never cynical, many of his greatest works were written during this period.