Michelle Tien King fuses the story of a fascinating modern culinary leader--a champion of Chinese mothers and wives--with the history of postwar Taiwan. It made me hungry for more Fu Pei-mei--and for dumplings.--Danielle Dreilinger, author of The Secret History of Home Economics
A fascinating, in-depth look at the history and impact of the woman who taught countless mothers and grandmothers how to master Chinese home cooking. As Michelle T. King writes, and we couldn't agree more: 'Skilled home cooks . . . are made in the kitchen, not born through blood.'--Kaitlin, Sarah, Bill, and Judy Leung, New York Times best-selling authors of The Woks of Life
The long-awaited tribute to Fu Pei-mei whose story is fascinating and inspiring, and whose influence on Chinese home cooking is astonishing. This is an eye-opening biography that's well researched from a great storyteller.--Grace Young, author of Stir-Frying to the Sky's Edge
A joyous tribute to an icon of Chinese cookery. While many have heard of Fu Pei-mei, few know her backstory. This book is an excellent and long overdue celebration of Fu's long-lasting influence in kitchens around the world.--Clarissa Wei, author of Made in Taiwan
Finally, a beautifully written and meticulously researched book that celebrates the woman behind the technicolor pages, the fascinating times Fu Pei-mei lived in, and the immense scopeof her influence. An engaging and important work for any reader, whether they grew up with Pei-mei in their kitchen or not.--Cathy Erway, author of The Food of Taiwan
Fu Pei-mei is the role model that I've been looking for: a chef whose influence--extending from her cooking schools to her shows, books, and products--is as wide-ranging as it is enduring. Chop Fry Watch Learn stands as evidence that cooking transcends sustenance when propelled by visionaries like Fu.--Lucas Sin, chef
King has woven together feminism, cultural identity, and personal stories into a fully realized portrait of an extraordinary life set against contemporary Taiwanese history.--Carolyn Phillips, author of At the Chinese Table and All Under Heaven
A spectacularly good book combining the subtle arts of memoir, narrative history, social analysis, and media criticism. I am excited to use it in my class to draw attention to the social dynamics of cooking outside the Euro-American world.--Krishnendu Ray, professor of food studies at NYU and author of The Ethnic Restaurateur
King adeptly tracks Fu's career as a cooking pioneer as well as de facto ambassador for Taiwan. . . . An appealing story of a determined home cook who taught generations how to prepare authentic Chinese food.-- "Kirkus"
King interweaves biography, memoir, and culinary history in her delicious debut. . . . This tasty ode to an undersung chef satisfies.-- "Publishers Weekly"
A large portion of the American populace still confuses Chinese American food with Chinese food. What a delight, then, to discover this culinary history of the worldwide dissemination of that great cuisine--which moonlights as a biography of Chinese cookbook and TV cooking program pioneer Fu Pei-mei.--John H. Maher "The Millions"
King does a remarkably thorough job of documenting Fu's life. . . . An appealing biography for gastronomes and students of feminist history alike.--Mark Knoblauch "Booklist"
King weaves history lessons, personal anecdotes and firsthand interviews into the thoroughly researched Chop Fry Watch Learn to paint the extent of Fu's legacy. . . . Readers are sure to find her diligent biography compelling.--Yi Jiang "BookPage"
King presents not just a biography of an indomitable woman, but a portrait of how cultures eat.-- "New York Times"
Fascinating. . . . As Michelle T. King demonstrates in this moving and ambitious biography, Fu Pei-mei was far more than 'the Julia Child of Chinese cooking.'--Thessaly La Force "New York Times Book Review"
This delicious book is a must-read for cooks and food lovers.--Lizz Schumer "PEOPLE"
Comprehensive. . . . [Chop Fry Watch Learn] spans the length of Fu's career while acknowledging the broader societal tensions.--Jess Eng "Washington Post"
King is acute and sensitive in presenting the paradoxes of Fu's identity....She has produced that rare biography in which a protagonist comes to complex, contradiction-ridden life with no sacrifice of painstaking factual accuracy.--Anne Mendelson "Wall Street Journal"