Martin Yan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Martin Yan

Yan in 2004
Born	(1948-12-22) 22 December 1948 (age 76) Guangzhou, China
Cooking style	Cantonese
Education	Munsang College Overseas Institute of Cookery of Hong Kong University of California, Davis
Current restaurant(s) (closed: M.Y. Asia (Las Vegas)) (closed: M.Y. China (San Francisco)) (closed: Yan Can (Santa Clara)) (closed: M.Y. China (Rohnert Park))
Television show(s) Yan Can Cook Martin Yan – Quick & Easy Martin Yan's Chinatowns Martin Yan's Hong Kong "Martin Yan's Asian Favourites

Martin Yan (born December 22, 1948) is a famous Chinese-American chef and author. He is best known for his popular PBS cooking show, Yan Can Cook, which has been on TV since 1982. He is famous for his catchphrase, "If Yan can cook, so can you!"

From China to a Cooking Star

A Chef from a Young Age

Martin Yan was born in Guangzhou, China. His father owned a restaurant, and his mother ran a grocery store, so he grew up surrounded by food. Yan started cooking when he was only 12 years old.

At age 13, he moved to Hong Kong. There, he went to school and worked at his uncle's Chinese restaurant. This is where he learned how to make traditional Chinese barbecue. He later earned a diploma from a cooking school in Hong Kong.

Moving to North America

After finishing his studies in Hong Kong, Yan moved to North America. He continued his education and earned a Master of Science degree in food science from the University of California, Davis in 1975. Food science is the study of the nature of foods and the changes that happen to them naturally and when they are cooked.

For a short time, Yan worked for another TV chef, Stephen Yan. Martin was part of a team of chefs who traveled across Canada to show people how to cook Chinese food at big events.

A Career in the Spotlight

Martin Yan in 1994

Yan started his teaching career by leading Chinese cooking classes at a college. His big break came when he appeared on a TV talk show in Calgary, Canada, to do a cooking demonstration. The audience loved him so much that he was invited back again and again.

This led to his first TV show, Yan Can, which was a huge success. In 1982, he moved to San Francisco and started the show that made him a global star: Yan Can Cook.

"If Yan Can Cook, So Can You!"

Yan Can Cook has been on the air for over 40 years, with more than 3,500 episodes. The show is broadcast in over 50 countries, making Martin Yan one of the most well-known chefs in the world. He also hosted other shows like Martin Yan – Quick & Easy and Martin Yan's Chinatowns, where he explored Chinese communities around the globe.

Besides his TV shows, Yan has written more than two dozen cookbooks. He also opened several restaurants and founded the Yan Can International Cooking School in San Francisco.

Guest Appearances and More

Yan is a respected figure in the cooking world. He has appeared as a guest judge on popular shows like Iron Chef America, Top Chef, and Hell's Kitchen. He also acted in a movie called Rice Rhapsody.

In 2023, Yan announced plans to reopen his M.Y. China restaurant in San Francisco, showing he is still passionate about sharing his food with the world.

Famous TV Shows

Martin Yan has hosted many cooking shows over the years. Some of his most famous ones include:

• Yan Can (1978–1982)
• Yan Can Cook (1982–present)
• Martin Yan's Chinatowns
• Martin Yan: Taste of Vietnam
• Martin Yan's Asian Favorites

Awards and Achievements

Yan has received many awards for his work in the culinary world.

• A Daytime Emmy Award in 1998 for best cooking show.
• Two James Beard Awards, which are like the Oscars for the food world.
• In 2022, he received the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award for his incredible career.
• He also has an honorary doctorate degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University.

See also

• Chinese American cuisine
• Cantonese cuisine
• Food science