Supremely late comment but I did this too as a kid. I live in NZ and we don't have this show here, but somehow my grandpa had a VHS cassette that had a bunch of recordings of Chef Yan's shows that he recorded when he still lived in Malaysia back in the 80s/90s. Whenever I was home rather than school from a cold or something else, I'd binge watch the ten or so episodes on that cassette. I did this so often over so many years that the cassette deteriorated from overuse. I am so glad this youtube channel is re-releasing these classics online. Now I get to watch all those episodes I never got the joy to watch until now!
Same! Also, Norm Abram's New Yankee Workshop, The Router Workshop, The Frugal Gourmet, The Galloping Gourmet, plus all the craft shows I liked, like Sewing With Nancy, Martha Stewart, etc.
I wouldn’t call it a struggle. I grew up watching these shows. I loved them. Some of the most iconic how-to shows came from PBS. Before there was a Food Network and HGTV, there was PBS.
He was a true ambassador worldwide for Chinese food using television. It’s also interesting that he was able to do this from San Francisco which enhanced its tolerant and appreciative image in my mind. He really did try to bridge the divide between Chinese culture and the west / world.
Oh boy this brings back good memories. One of them is the time in high school (mid 80's) my friends and I skipped school to go to one of his tapings in the City 😊. Good Times 😁
So love you and your cooking skils and your presentation! A little of my objection is that in these early days (1980's) you were not you and catered to middle aged to old white people. You were a bit too OVER THE TOP to appeal to them. Now, in your more recent shows you truly give homage to everyday Chinese and the general public! xiè xie!!!