Yan-kit So

Yan-kit So (1933–2001) was a renowned Chinese food writer and historian. She is best known for her cookbooks, which have been translated into multiple languages and have won numerous awards. Her work has significantly contributed to the popularization of Chinese cuisine worldwide.

Early Life and Education

Yan-kit So was born in 1933 in China. She moved to Hong Kong in her early years and later to London, United Kingdom, where she pursued her higher education. She studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where she developed a deep interest in Chinese history and culture.

Career

Yan-kit So began her career as a librarian but soon found her true passion in cooking and food history. She started writing about Chinese cuisine, focusing on its historical and cultural aspects. Her first cookbook, Classic Food of China, was published in 1992 and received critical acclaim. It was followed by Yan-kit's Classic Chinese Cookbook, which won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best International Cookbook.

Legacy

Yan-kit So's work has had a profound impact on the understanding and appreciation of Chinese cuisine around the world. Her books are considered classics in the field of culinary literature. In her honor, the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery established the Yan-kit So Memorial Award for Food Writers on Asia.

Bibliography

• Classic Food of China (1992)
• Yan-kit's Classic Chinese Cookbook (1995)

See Also

• Chinese Cuisine
• Food History
• Cookbook

References

• Yan-kit So: A Passion for Chinese Cooking. BBC. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
• Yan-kit So, 68, a Writer And Teacher of Chinese Cooking. The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-12-01.

External Links

• Yan-kit So on BBC Food
• James Beard Foundation Awards