A Personal Connection to Fu Pei-mei
Michelle T. King’s journey with Fu Pei-mei’s legacy started around the warmth of her parents’ kitchen, where Pei-mei’s Chinese cookbooks were a mainstay. King, a Chinese-American influenced by Taiwan, did not realize until later the immense impact Fu Pei-mei had as a pioneering television host and culinary icon in Taiwan.
Food and Cultural Identity
In her book, Chop Fry Watch Learn: Fu Pei-mei and the Making of Modern Chinese Food, King explores the intricate ties between food and cultural identity. She masterfully narrates how dishes can evoke memories and convey the complexities of migration and displacement experienced by the Chinese people. King points out that food is not just a comforting remnant of home; it is a nuanced marker of loss and change, reflecting the tumultuous history of war, upheaval, and displacement.
Historical and Cultural Insights
King’s book is not just about recipes; it delves into the broader implications of food in society. Through meticulous research, personal anecdotes, and interviews, King sheds light on the historical attitudes towards food, including the roles of women in cooking, the intricate relationship between Taiwan and China, and the broader themes of domestic labor, feminism, and globalization. Her work reveals how food operates as a unifying thread, interweaving these diverse subjects into a compelling narrative.
Fu Pei-mei’s Enduring Legacy
Fu Pei-mei’s influence extends far beyond her cooking show. King’s exploration uncovers how Fu became a beloved figure who not only taught cooking but also fostered a deeper appreciation and understanding of Chinese cuisine globally. Through Chop Fry Watch Learn, readers can appreciate the profound legacy Fu Pei-mei left behind and how she helped shape modern Chinese food.
