Chef Florence Tan
When it comes to Nyonya cooking, it is no secret that Florence Tan is one of its greatest ambassadors.   For Florence, cooking was something that came naturally… a gift.  Perhaps, this has to do with the fact that she, like so many young Nyonya girls, spent a great part of her growing years in the kitchen helping and learning from her sisters, aunties and mother, the art of preparing food.  Back in those growing years, even with all the distractions that young girls are bound to have, cooking was never a chore.  Neither was it something that she had expected to turn into a vocation.  Cooking was simply something that girls do, the only difference being that she had a passion and talent for it.…

The idea of working as a cook had never occurred to her.  She worked as a home economist for 25 years.  It was a chance appearance on Kuali, a cooking programme on TV3 back in 1985 that changed all that.   A star was born and there was no turning back.  More television shows and bookings for public appearances came after.  She who had not wanted to be a cook had become Celebrity Chef Florence Tan.  Offers came from food companies and hotels.  Her name was used in the advertisements of a number of food products, the most notable being global food giant, Nestle’s Maggi, Yoghurt, and Corn flakes.  She was the spokesperson for Malaysian Palm Oil council, the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board, and edible oil companies such as Seri Murni and Carotino Oil.  She was also engaged as consultant for a number of hotels to promote Nyonya cuisine.  Outside of the country, she is an eminent celebrity among cooking enthusiasts.  Among her contributions to the culinary arts, Florence has been to Japan, England, Hong Kong, and France as an ambassador of Malaysian cuisine for the Malaysian Government.

Apart from Nyonya cooking, Florence is also adept in the art of international cuisine, having studied under famous Chef Lim BuanYuan who was also her mentor.  To her credit, Florence has a Nyonya cookbook “Secrets of Nyonya Cooking” which has helped to promote an integral aspect of Malaysian culinary delights to the world.  Another book is on the way.  Themed “The Nyonya Heritage”, she hopes that it will be “a guideline for future generations in preserving the country’s rich Nyonya heritage and traditions”.