Kylie Kwong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kylie Kwong
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| 鄺凱莉 | |
Kylie Kwong at a book signing in March 2006
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| Born |
Kylie Jane Kwong
31 October 1969 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Chef, author, restaurateur, television presenter |
| Partner(s) | Nell |
Kylie Jane Kwong (born 31 October 1969) is a famous Australian chef, author, and TV presenter. She is well-known for her delicious Chinese-inspired dishes and her commitment to using fresh, organic ingredients.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Kylie Kwong grew up in Sydney, Australia. She went to Epping North School and Cheltenham Girls High School. Her family has Chinese roots, and she is a third-generation Chinese Australian. This means her grandparents or great-grandparents came to Australia from China.
From a young age, Kylie learned how to cook traditional Cantonese food. She learned many cooking basics from her mother. Later, she gained more experience by training with famous chefs like Neil Perry at his restaurants, Rockpool and Wockpool. She also trained at Restaurant Manfredi.
Kylie's Restaurants
Kylie Kwong has opened several popular restaurants.
Billy Kwong Restaurant
Kylie opened her first restaurant called Billy Kwong in Surry Hills, a suburb of Sydney. The name 'Billy' came from her business partner at the time, chef Bill Granger. Even after Kylie became the only owner, she kept the original name.
In 2014, Billy Kwong moved to a bigger place in Potts Point. Here, Kylie worked with other chefs and business partners.
A Focus on Organic Food
Kylie Kwong made a special promise for her restaurant: to use only organic and biodynamic food. This means the ingredients are grown naturally, without harmful chemicals. She said, "We now use only organic and biodynamic fruit and vegetables, poultry, meat and noodles. All the soy sauces, sugar, vinegar and oils we flavour our food with are organic, and we serve Fair Trade tea, coffee and chocolate." This change happened in 2005.
Kylie believes in cooking food that is good for people and the planet. She once said, "I wanted my work and social life to reflect my Buddhism. Offering my customers healthy, life-giving, precious food is the best way for me to help them."
Awards and Environmental Efforts
Billy Kwong won the first-ever Sustainability Award in 2009 from the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide. This award recognized Kylie's efforts to protect the environment. For example, customers could choose to donate money to a program that supported wind farms in China. The restaurant also only served filtered tap water from Sydney, instead of bottled water.
In 2019, Kylie announced that Billy Kwong would close. She wanted to try new things as she turned 50.
Lucky Kwong Cafeteria
In May 2021, Kylie opened a new cafeteria-style restaurant called Lucky Kwong. It is located in the South Eveleigh area of Sydney. This venue also focuses on using high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients to create nourishing dishes. In June 2024, Lucky Kwong will close as Kylie plans to retire from owning restaurants.
Television and Books
Kylie Kwong is also a well-known face on television and has written many cookbooks.
TV Shows
In 2003, Kylie's first TV series, Kylie Kwong: Cooking with Heart and Soul, was shown on the ABC. This show helped people learn how to cook Chinese food at home. It was also shown in the United States.
Later, in 2006, a second series called Kylie Kwong: Simply Magic was released. This show had six episodes and aimed to make Chinese cooking even easier.
Kylie has also appeared as a guest chef and judge on MasterChef Australia, a popular cooking competition show. She shared her cooking knowledge and helped guide the contestants.
Cookbooks
Kylie has written five cookbooks, which share her love for cooking and explore Chinese culture and food. Her books include:
- Kylie Kwong: Recipes And Stories (2003)
- Heart and Soul (2003)
- Simple Chinese Cooking (2007)
- My China: A Feast for All the Senses (2007)
- My China: Stories and Recipes from My Homeland (2008)
These books are filled with recipes and stories that help people understand and enjoy Chinese cuisine.
Community Work
Kylie Kwong is also involved in community work. In 2009, she was the master of ceremonies for a public talk by the Dalai Lama in Sydney.
In 2011, Kylie launched her own range of tableware (like bowls and cups) in Oxfam shops across Australia. This project was with Oxfam Australia, an organization that helps people in need. The tableware was made by fair trade artisans in Vietnam, meaning the workers were paid fairly for their craft.
In 2019, Kylie became an Ambassador for food, culture, and community for the South Eveleigh area in Sydney. Her role is to encourage people to connect with the area through food, culture, and community events.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kylie focused on cooking and delivering meals to community and health leaders. This project, called True Nourishment, showed her support for those helping others.
Personal Life
Kylie Kwong is married to Australian artist Nell. They got married on March 17, 2019.
In 2023, Kylie was recognized for her significant contributions to the hospitality industry and the community. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), which is a special honor given to Australians who have achieved great things.
See also
- Kwong Sue Duk, Kylie's great-grandfather.
