On Saturday, September 21st, the San José Public Library Foundation hosted its first ever Signature Author Event featuring the renowned celebrity from hit show Yan Can Cook, Chef Martin Yan. This inaugural event raised significant funds and awareness for the San José Public Library while providing guests with a truly memorable culinary experience.
Chef Martin Yan captivated the audience with a lively cooking demonstration, sharing the stories and inspiration behind his 30+ cookbooks. Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch featuring Chef Yan’s award-winning dishes, paired with thoughtfully curated wines that were generously provided by Bouchaine Vineyards. Each guest was gifted an autographed copy of his newest cookbook “Best of Yan Can Cook“, and additional autographed copies of his latest works including “My Asian Kitchen” were also available for purchase at the door, with a portion of proceeds going back to the Library.
The event concluded with an exciting lion dance celebration out in the plaza as Chef Martin Yan met and greeted guests.
Thank you to our dedicated staff, volunteers, vendors, event sponsors, and most importantly, our community for helping us bring this event to life. We truly could not have done it without each and every single person!
Want to see the event in action and learn more about its impact? Check out our official recap video and curated collection of media coverage to see how our first ever Signature Author Event made headlines!
About Chef Yan
“If Yan Can Cook, So Can You!” has always been the motto of Chef Martin Yan! With his extraordinaire, popular television host of more than 3,500 culinary and travel TV shows and author of 34 cookbooks including his brand-new cookbooks – “Martin Yan’s Best of Yan Can Cook” and “MY Asian Kitchen”. He is one of the most recognizable Chinese Chef in the culinary world, from Shanghai to San Francisco, with a career spanning over four decades. Promoting Chinese and Asian cuisines, making the food easy for the cook has been his life-long mission.
His award-winning public television series, Yan Can Cook, airing since 1978, has introduced generations of audiences to Chinese and Asian cuisines. Chef Yan has received numerous awards and recognitions including the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, and the lifetime achievement award from the International Association of Cooking Professionals. He was also honored with the 2023 Culinary Excellence Award at the Sonoma International Film Festival.
Never the one to rest on his laurels, Chef Yan has remained an active international food and cultural ambassador. He roams the world working with home chefs and top chefs to entertain and educate the public, sharing his unique humor and strong passion for cooking.
