Martin Yan Quotes

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Martin Yan

Profession : Chef

Birth : December 22, 1948

I think a lot of times it's not money that's the primary motivation factor; it's the passion for your job and the professional and personal satisfaction that you get out of doing what you do that motivates you.

Martin Yan

Some people never contribute anything positive to society, they may even drain our resources, but most of us try to do something better, to give back.

Martin Yan

I've never considered myself a celebrity or even part of the entertainment business. I'm a cooking teacher.

Martin Yan

When you enjoy what you do, work becomes play.

Martin Yan

People who don't travel cannot have a global view, all they see is what's in front of them. Those people cannot accept new things because all they know is where they live.

Martin Yan

Happiness is within. It has nothing to do with how much applause you get or how many people praise you. Happiness comes when you believe that you have done something truly meaningful.

Martin Yan

I enjoy the quiet life.

Martin Yan

Soy sauce is really a multi-purpose seasoning.

Martin Yan

If I could only have one type of food with me, I would bring soy sauce. The reason being that if I have soy sauce, I can flavor a lot of things.

Martin Yan

I have a lot of cooking tools. In fact I have a whole drawer full of knives. Cooking tools, especially cutlery, are my toys.

Martin Yan

Chinese culture has a lot of virtues that are tremendously valuable to not only us as Asian-Americans, but also the world in general.

Martin Yan

In general I love to eat anything. I enjoy anything that is well prepared, a good spaghetti, lasagna, taco, steak, sushi, refried beans.

Martin Yan

First of all, I can't really claim to be a great chef.

Martin Yan

Anyone that has come to America past the age of eighteen will be able to understand when I say that you can never shake your accent.

Martin Yan

A lot of people don't enjoy their job, they may even hate it, but I am lucky enough to be able to make a living through my passion.

Martin Yan

I live a very low-key life.

Martin Yan

Just like if you were brought up on a farm, you would most likely carry on your father's business as a farmer; I was brought up in the kitchen and ended up becoming a chef.

Martin Yan

At thirteen, when I arrived in Hong Kong after leaving China, I made a living by working in a restaurant.

Martin Yan

I remember when I was in college, I used to watch Julia Child's cooking show during dinner and joke with my roommates about becoming a TV chef.

Martin Yan

Well, you know, if you get into the profession because you think you can make a lot of money, you can never become successful.

Martin Yan