Martin
Yan, celebrated host of more than 1,500 cooking shows, highly respected
food and restaurant consultant, and certified Master Chef, enjoys
distinction as both a teacher and author. His many talents have
found unique expression in 24 cookbooks; his most recent releases
are "Martin Yan's Feast: The Best of Yan Can Cook," "Chinese
Cooking for Dummies" and "Martin Yan's Asian Favorites."
Born
in Guangzhou (Canton), China, Martin Yan always possessed a passion
for cooking. However, his formal introduction to the culinary world
started at age thirteen when he began his first apprenticeship for
a well-established Hong Kong restaurant. After earning his diploma
from the Overseas Institute of Cookery in Hong Kong, Yan traveled
to Canada and then on to the United States.
Before
receiving his M.S. in Food Science from the University of California,
Davis, Martin taught Chinese cooking for the University of California
extension program. He later began hosting the popular show “Yan
Can Cook," and is now the host of a new television series produced
by A La Carte -- "Martin Yan's Chinatowns."
He
has been a frequent guest chef-instructor for professional chef
programs, including the California Culinary Academy, Johnson & Wales
University (he served on both schools' advisory committees), the
University of San Francisco, and Chinese chef training programs
across North America.
Chef
Yan is the founder of the Yan Can International Cooking School in
the San Francisco Bay Area. He has captured the admiration and loyal
following of millions of cooking fans in every milieu as he wins
their attention and, more importantly, their hearts, by combining
his cooking artistry and teaching skills with a most personal and
unique ingredient -- humor.
Martin
Yan's cooking shows, on television or in person, are as entertaining
as they are educational. He is dedicated to dispelling the mysteries
of Chinese and Asian cooking and furthering the understanding and
enjoyment of these excellent cuisines and cultures through spirited
fun and entertainment. Martin Yan is the recipient of national and
international recognition among his peers as a master chef.
His
most recent acknowledgments include a 1998 Daytime Emmy Award, a
1996 James Beard Award for Best TV Food Journalism, and a 1994 James
Beard Award for Best TV Cooking Show. He has also been honored with
the prestigious Antonin Careme Award by the Chef's Association of
the Pacific Coast and the Courvoisier Leadership Award by Courvoisier.
Along
with Paul Prudhomme, he was named Culinary Diplomat for the American
Culinary Federation. For his contribution to the food and hospitality
industry, along with Julia Child, America's First Lady of cooking,
Chef Yan received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Culinary Arts
from the world's leading culinary training mecca, Johnson & Wales
University. Recently, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in
Humane Letters from the Colorado Institute of Art.
In
addition, Chef Yan is a professional member of many prestigious
organizations: American Institute of Wine and Food, American Culinary
Federation, Chinese Cuisine Research Institute, Chef's Association
of the Pacific Coast, Association of Chinese Cooking Teachers, Institute
of Food Technologists, International Association of Culinary Professionals,
and American Author's Guild. |
