When I’m asked of the entertainment interviews I have done, if there were any that I enjoyed the most.
To be truthful, nearly every interview has been enjoyable but I think one that has stayed with me for so long is my interview with Martin Yan.
At the time, I was in my final semester in college and I was working as an intern for the advertising and PR department for the corporate headquarters of a department store (like many other department stores, no longer exists).
Often, the PR Dept. would bring guests to their department store for the public and because I knew the PR person in charge of the event and knowing I was the editor-in-chief for the Asian American newspaper in college, I was given the opportunity to interview Martin Yan prior to his show.
Myself, fellow journalist (and friends) Min and photographer Mahito were able to hang out with Martin, interview him and watch him entertain a large audience who were there to get their book signed by Martin.
But he is a man that is kind, generous, he even took me and the staff out for coffee and breakfast.
But my best memories of Martin is that what you saw on television, he is as positive, upbeat and most of all, sharing good food with people. His positivity, his passion is part of what makes him entertaining to watch but for me, having grown up watching his cooking show on television, it was an awesome experience to meet Martin for the very first time and interview him.
And while I cover a lot of restaurants and have interviewed chef’s, looking back, Martin Yan was the first chef I interviewed.
The following interview was published back in 1999 for “Asian Pacific Review”
I’m sure you’ve heard him say it many times, “Yan can cook and so can you!” if you enjoyed watching Martin Yan’s award-winning cooking show “Yan Can Cook” since 1982 on PBS where he travels all around the world showing the history of a country and its cuisine.
He has entertained viewers for over 35 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.
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 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?
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.
DENNIS: Do you have any new plans for the show?
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.
