Ask The Foodie: Cindy Lam

Cindy Lam, 39, is a co-founder of Ms Food Division, a cooking workshop hosted at her apartment in Kennedy Town. Lam is responsible for the vegetarian fare, while co-founders Marco Vedovato and Lillian Leung specialise in Italian dishes and desserts respectively. Previously in media advertising and sales for 10 years, Lam switched to more creative pursuits in 2009, from photography production to research and design for brands. She is a consultant for Mark Slender, a fashion research and development house, which supports established and emerging labels such as menswear line Iter Hominis. Since Lam became a vegetarian in 2009, she has advocated green living and eating.
 

Definitely. I had a hard time finding places that served good vegetarian food. I don't really like vegetarian Buddhist food, with the exception of dim sum at Pure Veggie House. Otherwise, most places are only OK as the dishes tend to be greasy. I figured I should learn a few recipes to sustain my lifestyle.
 

It was my idea. I noticed lots of people around me didn't eat healthily. Initially, I wanted to do the workshop for children as I was babysitting my friend's daughter and realised how challenging it was to cook for her since she'd only eat sweets, fried things or fast food. Then I realised it's not just children but parents who need to learn how to eat healthily. So I changed the concept to target my friends and people like them.
 

I go to the wet markets mainly because my workshop is about local food from local farms. Not everyone can afford organic fare. All kinds of vegetables are available - just bring them home and wash them with organic veggie soaps, found at health shops such as Just Green on Graham Street or Nature's Village on Lyndhurst Terrace. Supermarkets such as City'super and Wellcome also sell them.