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Read Insight's exclusive Personal Insights with Poh Ling Yeow
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Poh Ling Yeow counts on being able to cook as part of her lifestyle, and without it, feels as though her life suffers. As a talented artist and chef, she was runner-up on Masterchef in 2009, and now adds television personality and author to her list of achievements. Poh is a master of simple and healthy food, and loves all the fresh flavours and ingredients exampled in food from Thailand and Vietnam. There is an Asian theme that creeps into her work, stemming from her heritage, which is one of the main reasons Poh says she got into cooking: to come to grips with her culture again because she felt she lost a lot being a migrant. ‘Asian cuisine is very difficult to just learn: to learn to balance the flavours and cook the food properly - it has to be in your blood or it takes a long time to train for it’, she tells. ‘The balance of all the sweet, sour and salty flavours are actually quite hard to get and you almost have to grow up eating it to fully understand it.’
She says she considers cooking as an escape from the world, and being able to fully immerse herself and shut off for a while is when she feels most comfortable with both herself and the world. Being a person who loves a challenge - and not sure of what she will do next - Poh is waiting to see what the universe throws her way. She recently caught up with Insight Magazine to chat about her life, loves and career.
What attracted you to cooking?
Just getting in touch with my heritage. When I entered my 30s, I realised I had lost touch with a lot of my culture and heritage and I could barely communicate with my grandmother. I thought ‘Wow!’ because I did not have anything to pass onto my children, if I have them. I would really love to have that connection with my past and have something to hand onto my future. I also really wanted to record the recipes because when my grandmother died, she took a wealth of knowledge in Malaysian cookery with her.
You were a successful artist before becoming a celebrity chef; is it hard to find time to paint?
I have to find it; that is exactly the word! I miss painting incredibly! This past year I have been coming to grips with my life being turned on its head, but last month I had an exhibition in Melbourne. Fortunately, I have been able to squeeze one in this year and it has been great to get my hands messy and paint on a canvas again. I miss it so much also because it is quiet time on my own with no one to disturb me and I love that feeling. I am as equally passionate about painting as I am about food and I always will be. They really go hand in hand and I have always done both my whole life.
Which celebrity chef would you love to work with that you have not already?
I would love to work with Rick Stein! Also, Jamie Oliver has a great energy and I love how he is always trying to give back to the community.
What do you think has made you successful?
I think being honest with myself. I have always done things for the right reasons and with the right intentions. Also, I really love what I do. It is a major part of my life, but now I just do it on television! If you love something you want to be really good at it, so it just sort of drives itself.
How do you push past moments of doubt?
I do not really doubt much; I am so excited to create new things that I just get on with it! I am too busy for doubt!
How do you balance your career and personal life?
This past year has been really challenging in that department and I am hoping next year becomes more balanced. The problem is though, because I love it, I actually do not mind being obsessed with it, but there is only so much you can achieve before you start to lose your marbles!
With the stress of your public life, what keeps you grounded?
My home life: my partner, my dog and my family. I love just being at home pottering around.
Have you had a ‘spiritual awakening’ in your life? If so, how did it change you?
Yes, I actually came from a really religious background. When I left, I had a spiritual awakening and I became really aware of everything around me like nature. When I left organised religion the creativity and freedom kicked in and I found it to be such a harness. I used to have a constant guilt like a dark shadow over my head for most of my life [when I was involved in organised religion], but when I let go, it completely freed my mind, body, everything. It was like living in a brand new world. That is actually when all these amazing things started happening in my life. I live everyday to the fullest!
What issues do you feel are the most pressing in the world today?
I think religion, or people’s interpretation of it, causes a lot of problems.
What do you see happening in the world in the next ten years and what will your contribution be?
Just to bring a bit of cheer to people and inspire them with my cooking!
Which book would you recommend people to read?
I do not have a particular one in mind at the moment, but I love autobiographies, mostly artists and actors. I am really interested to read about what drives people who have accomplished a lot creatively.
Name someone who has inspired you on your journey.
My great aunt, Kim. She has lived with my family for my whole life. She is an amazing example to me. She is a Buddhist who wants nothing and is completely unattached to material things. She lives to serve and is a really great influence in my life.
Sum up your philosophy on life.
Laugh at everything! Having a sense of humour will always get you through. Be honest with yourself, and be kind to yourself and everyone else. Also, be aware of what is going on around you.
‘Poh’s Kitchen’ airs on ABC1 at 6:30pm on Wednesdays and 6:00pm Thursdays on ABC2. Her newly released cookbook ‘Poh’s Kitchen: My Cooking Adventures’ is available from all ABC outlets and retails for $39.99. |
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