Culinary Innovator & Television Chef; Host of "Yan Can Cook"; James Beard Award Winner; Author of 30 Cookbooks
Martin Yan Biography
Martin Yan is recognized as a leading figure in the culinary industry, known for his significant role in popularizing television chefs and cooking shows, as well as introducing Asian cuisine and culture to mainstream American audiences. A certified master chef and University of California–Davis alumnus, Yan is a chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and one of the first individuals of Asian descent in the United States to host a daily cooking show. His motto, "If Yan can cook, so can you!" is closely associated with his cooking show, "Yan Can Cook."
Yan began his culinary career at age 13 with an apprenticeship at a Hong Kong restaurant, followed by training at the Overseas Institute of Cookery in Hong Kong and earning a master's degree in food science at the University of California–Davis. After formal restaurant training in Hong Kong, Yan immigrated to Calgary, Canada, where he first appeared on a daytime news program to demonstrate Chinese cooking. He produced 520 episodes of his initial show, "Yan Can," in Calgary before launching "Yan Can Cook" on public television at KQED in San Francisco.
Over the course of 3,500 episodes of "Yan Can Cook," Yan has prepared nearly 10,000 dishes, with the show broadcast in more than 50 countries. He expanded the format into a culinary travelogue, highlighting culinary destinations throughout Asia, including Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore. Yan has authored 30 cookbooks, such as "Martin Yan's Feast," "Martin Yan's Chinatown Cooking," "Martin Yan's Quick & Easy," and "Martin Yan's China." His publications have contributed to the global appreciation of Chinese and Asian cuisine.
Yan has served as a guest instructor at institutions including California Culinary Academy, Johnson & Wales University, Chinese Cuisine Institute in Hong Kong, Culinary Institute of America, and University of San Francisco, as well as chef training programs across North America. He founded the Yan Can International Cooking School and has operated restaurants such as M.Y. China in San Francisco, known for regional Chinese dishes and wok cooking.
Yan's work in the culinary field has been recognized with multiple James Beard Awards, including Best TV Cooking Show, Best TV Food Journalism, and the James Beard Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also received a Daytime Emmy Award, Telly Award, Antonin Careme Award, Courvoisier Leadership Award, membership in Les Disciples D'Auguste Escoffier, induction into the James Beard Foundation's D'Artagnan Cervena Who's Who of Food and Beverage, the International Association of Culinary Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award, and the University of California–Davis Distinguished Achievement Award. Through television, teaching, and writing, Yan continues to serve as an ambassador for Chinese and Asian cuisine, influencing home cooks and professional chefs worldwide.
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How do I book Martin Yan to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Martin Yan for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Martin Yan, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Martin Yan or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Martin Yan
Speaking fees for Martin Yan, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Martin Yan are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Martin Yan, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Martin Yan speak about?
Martin Yan is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Asian & Pacific Heritage, Celebrity Chef, Celebrity Chef, Educational Motivational, Health & Wellness, Hospitality, Inspirational, Non-Fiction Authors, Television & Film -
Where does Martin Yan travel from?
Martin Yan generally travels from Hillsborough, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
Who is Martin Yan’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Martin Yan for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Martin Yan for your next private or corporate function. -
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AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Martin Yan or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
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Martin Yan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Martin Yan for your event is available upon request. Martin Yan generally travels from Hillsborough, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Grace Young, Nicole Ponseca, Brandon Jew, Melissa King and Roy Choi. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Martin Yan for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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