Chua Lam, a celebrated food critic, writer, and television personality, has passed away at the age of 83. According to his official social media account, Lam died peacefully on June 25, surrounded by family and friends at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital.
In accordance with his wishes, no ceremony was held, and his body was cremated to avoid disturbing his loved ones.
Lam was known as one of Hong Kong’s “Four Great Talents,” alongside Cantopop lyricist James Wong Jim and novelists Jin Yong and Ni Kuang.
As a prolific writer and popular host of food and travel shows, Lam made a significant impact on the culinary scene and literature in Hong Kong. Born in Singapore in 1941, Lam settled in Hong Kong in the 1960s, where he produced films, including several by action star Jackie Chan.
Lam’s career path took a turn when he was invited to write a column in a local newspaper. “So I wrote a lot about food and restaurants, and eventually people saw me as a food critic,” he said in an interview with the South China Morning Post in 2016.
With writings and television appearances throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Lam became one of the most authoritative voices on Chinese cuisine. He even served as a consultant on the documentary series “A Bite of China,” which introduced various dishes across China.
Lam’s passion for food and writing inspired many, and his legacy will be remembered for years to come. As the last of the Four Great Talents, his passing marks the end of an era in Hong Kong’s literary and culinary landscape.
In recent years, Lam had mostly retreated from public view after a fall in 2023, which left him with a fractured pelvic bone. He was injured while rushing to help his wife, who had fallen at home and passed away later that year.