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You’ve
heard him say it many times, "Yan can cook and so can you!"
You enjoy watching Martin Yan’s cooking show "Yan Can Cook"
(which happens to be the most watched cooking TV show in the
world) on PBS where he travels all around the world showing
the history of a country and its cuisine.
He has entertained viewers for 21 years with his humor and cooking.
You may have enjoyed reading the many books that he has written
but there is more to Martin Yan that not many people see...his
serious side outside of the studio.
On November 20th, we had the opportunity to hang out with Martin
before his show at the Gottschalks in Fresno and Visalia.
What we learned is how down to earth and how serious he is in
promoting Asian culture and how cool the master chef really
is.
DENNIS:
How
does it feel to be one of the few successful Asians on TV?
MARTIN:
I feel very fortunate
that I was able to do things in the last 20 years that a lot
of Asians were not able to do. That’s why I focus on the Asian
culture on our show. Very few shows truly feature lifestyle,
arts and craft and philosophy. Our show serves the purpose of
introducing these things that the bigger networks have no time
to do.
DENNIS:
Has being successful
changed your life?
MARTIN:
Even now, I still
don’t drive a fancy car or live in a mansion.
MAHITO:
What is the important
factor for you in cooking?
MARTIN:
I think for any chef
or any professional, your work should be your love. Otherwise,
you’ll never become successful because if you think you are
good, there are a lot of people who are just as good or better
than you are. If you want to be truly successful, you need to
continue to be good or better in a daily basis.
MIN:
When you go into a
Chinese restaurant, do the owners or chef worry that they have
to do a special job to impress you?
MARTIN:
I don’t think so.
First of all, you see me on television and I’m casual. I don’t
put on a chef jacket on television because I don’t want to intimidate
people. That’s why I have the slogan, "Yan can cook and
so can you". I am very casual. My mother always
told me that it’s better to be #2 than #1. If you’re #1, you
can’t stay there and be there forever. As long as I achieve
what I want to do, which is to introduce the Asian culture and
food to people. To be a culinary ambassador.
MIN:
Do you cook at home?
MARTIN:
Oh yes! I love to
cook because I have no chance to cook at home. I cook for the
whole staff. When I can’t cook, I can’t eat by myself, everyone
comes.
MIN:
Have you ever thought
of opening your own restaurant?
MARTIN:
I’m a consultant for
many restaurants. I don’t want to have my own restaurant because
why be stuck? I won’t be able to do the things that I enjoy
doing. I love to travel, teach, share and be creative.
MIN:
Do you like spicy
foods?
MARTIN:
Oh yeah! When I go
to Malaysia or Singapore, I like to eat a lot of spicy food.
I like to eat Malaysian curry.
DENNIS:
Of all the places
that you have been to, what is your favorite?
MIN:
Hawaii?
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MARTIN:
I
love Hawaii! I love Vancouver! I love Boston! And I
love Yosemite! I love places that are romantic and calm.
I like any cities with mountain and water. You feel
calm with these two and you need the balance. I like
places where there are four seasons. In life, I believe
you need something to look forward to, so life can be
meaningful. You look forward to changes because people
need a change.
MIN:
Please
tell us about your new book?
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Pictured from L to R:
Dennis A. Amith, Martin Yan, Lee Min Low and Mahito Tomoi |
MARTIN:
"Martin Yan:
The Feast" is the latest. Also, "Introduction to Chinese
Cooking". I’m in the process of finishing the book, "The
Dummy’s Guide to Chinese Cooking".
DENNIS:
What about for television?
Do you have any new plans?
MARTIN:
We are doing a show
on the great chef’s of Hong Kong, we’re doing the flavors of
Taiwan and the best of Thailand.
DENNIS:
Wow! You’re very busy!
What do you do in your free time?
MARTIN:
I garden. I have a
greenhouse. Many fruit trees and a vegetable garden. I like
to be close to nature. I like to do work that requires my hands
such as cooking and gardening.
DENNIS:
What final words do
you have for your fans?
MARTIN:
Since we have to cook
everyday, we should wish everyone good cooking and good food.
When people cook together and eat together, they stay together.
I think good food and good cooking brings good things to life.
Because cooking is a sharing experience. We share with family
and friends. The meaning of life is we work hard and we share.
It’s important for us to learn to understand that you really
need to share.
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