Not only does cooking fanatic Siu Ling-tsz cook for her family every day, she also publishes a free monthly magazine Zhu Fan Zai (“cooking” in Cantonese) to share tips and recipes with housewives. She talks to Minnie Li about cooking, family and our city’s eating culture.
HK Magazine: What does cooking mean to you?
Siu Ling-tsz: Cooking is indispensable for a family because it helps maintain good family relationships. In my opinion, a wife should understand her husband’s appetite, as it is a crucial part of maintaining a happy marriage. Cooking for family members also gives one a sense of satisfaction.
HK: How did you become interested in cooking?
SL: I fell in love with cooking because of my boyfriend, who is now my husband. He loves eating and is very picky. Since I wanted his approval, I cooked the same dishes many times until they reached a state of perfection. My cooking skills improved within a short time and I really began to enjoy the relaxing feeling you get from cooking.
HK: Why did you start the magazine Zhu Fan Zai?
SL: I want to promote the “eat at home” culture. Hongkongers seldom eat and cook at home, and I hope that my readers can give cooking a try by following the simple but innovative recipes in the magazine. Not only is eating at home healthier, it is also about spending time with family. We should treasure the times that we can chat and share great food with our loved ones.
HK: What is the most common problem with Hong Kong housewives’ cooking skills?
SL: They cook a narrow range of dishes with similar flavors every day. They think that feeding family members is enough and they seldom try new ingredients and sauces to make the dishes different. When they go shopping in the supermarket, they have no idea what ingredients to buy.
HK: Are you going to teach your daughter to cook?
SL: I have already taught my four-year-old girl some basic cooking techniques. She can now rinse rice, and chop and boil vegetables. Her chore is to lay the cutlery before dinner. This is family education.