Interview with “Yan Can Cook” chef Martin Yan (a classic J!-ENT Interview - 1998)

October 18, 2008 by Dennis Amith

One of the coolest interviews that I have done is with Martin Yan. Back in 1998, me, Lee Min Low and Mahito Tomoi had an opportunity to interview the popular television chef and he took us out for breakfast and as we sat to do our interview, it was surreal because people were gathering around us. People wanting an autograph and a photo with him. Definitely a fun time!

The interview was printed on Asian Pacific Review and also featured online on J!-ENT and continues to be one of our interviews that people tend to read. In fact, I often get e-mails for more interviews with popular chef’s and it’s something I have considered as I do watch a lot of cooking shows, love to cook and have a good sized collection of cooking books on my shelf.

But Martin Yan is the real deal! After my marriage in 2000, I received a wedding gift from Martin which was a surprise but that kind of shows how kind and compassionate the man truly is.

I hope one day to do a second interview with him again!

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 to promote the latest technology in cookware and his latest book.

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.

(J!) 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.

(J!) DENNIS: Has being successful changed your life?
MARTIN: Even now, I still don’t drive a fancy car or live in a mansion.

(J!) 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.

(J!) 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.

(J!) 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.

(J!) 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.

(J!) 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.

(J!) DENNIS: Of all the places that you have been to, what is your favorite?
(J!) MIN: Hawaii?
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.

(J!) MIN: Please tell us about your new book?
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”.

(J!) 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.

(J!) 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.

(J!) 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.