Today’s post is dedicated to my 93-year old aunt, Florence Lin, who recently received a Special Recognition Award – the Milestone Award – from the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in recognition of her lifetime achievement of promoting the culinary arts of China in the United States. Special recognition awards pay tribute to notable culinary professionals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the culinary industry and/or IACP.
Florence Lin was a pioneering teacher of Chinese cooking classes, having co-founded the Chinese Cooking School at the China Institute in New York, where she taught thousands of students over the course of 25 years. In fact, Julia Child even attended some of her classes. In addition, she is the author of several groundbreaking books on Chinese cuisine. Most notably, she was one of the principal consultants for Time-Life’s groundbreaking “Cooking of China” volume in its “Foods of the World” series.
What a great honor for my aunt, to be recognized for the work she did decades before self-publishing, e-books, digital photography and blogs existed. I fondly remember our family visiting Auntie Florence in the Bronx when I was young – we were always treated to delectable authentically prepared Chinese dishes. I only wish I had been older at the time so I could have taken some of her cooking classes.
Florence Lin is the author of five Chinese cookbooks, all of which I am the proud owner of. Her publications have helped introduce Americans to authentic Chinese dishes from the diverse culinary regions of China. Instead of color photographs as are common in cookbooks today, each of these cookbooks uses hand illustrations, a real art. If you’re fortunate enough to have any of these cookbooks in your collection, or if you can get your hands on any of her cookbooks, you will see what I’m talking about.
Her cookbooks are entitled:
Florence Lin’s Chinese Regional Cookbook: A Guide to the Origins, Ingredients, and Cooking Methods of Over 200 Regional Specialties and National Favorites
Florence Lin’s Complete Book of Noodles, Dumplings and Breads
Florence Lin’s Chinese One-Dish Meals
Florence Lin’s Vegetarian Cookbook
Florence Lin’s Cooking with Fire Pots
My cousin sent some photos of the special IACP awards ceremony that I wanted to share with you all. I wish I could have been there to witness this special moment. My aunt is an incredible woman – energetic, always upbeat, with a positive outlook, and fun to talk to. You might recall the Baked Coconut Sticky Rice Cake recipe that she told me about over the phone for Chinese New Year.
Florence Lin Accepting Her Milestone Award
Here is Florence Lin with Raghavan Iyer, a noted cookbook author, who presented the award to her.
Florence Lin and Raghavan Iyer
Here she is with one of my favorite celebrity chefs, Martin Yan, who was thrilled to meet her.
Florence Lin and Martin Yan
And here is Auntie Florence with Thomas Keller towering over her (she is a petite woman – isn’t she cute). She actually met Thomas Keller, owner/chef of The French Laundry and PerSe, a number of years ago when she first moved to California and dined at the French Laundry in Yountville. Apparently, when she was introduced to Thomas Keller, he pulled two copies of her cookbooks from his kitchen shelf and asked for her autograph.
Florence Lin and Thomas Keller
Congratulations Auntie Florence! Our family is so proud of you!
Additional Sources:
Rossmoor News
Washington Post: Mother’s Day: Which mothers of the culinary world would you honor?
Well, apparently a love of good, wholesome food runs in the family, Jeanette. Congrats to your lovely Aunt!
Thanks Carolyn! Good, wholesome food has always been a big part of our family and my aunt and my mom continue to serve as an inspiration to me in the kitchen. Hoping my kids pick up on this and continue on the tradition.
What a fabulous Aunt you have Jeanette, what an accomplishment. I’m so happy for your whole family, it’s all so very exciting!
Thanks Diane – we’re very happy for her. It is an amazing accomplishment and I am so glad she has been recognized for all the hard work she did.
Jeanette, your aunt appears to be an extraordinary woman.
How pleased you are to have her as part of your life.
Julia Childs took some of her classes…wow. Your aunt must have some amazing stories to tell.
The pictures have made me smile, thank you for sharing this special moments with us.
I truly believe that when you pass along recipes, you are also passing along a culture and a way of life.
In a world where there are so many drive-thrus, quick stops, and microwavable meals this is refreshing.
I commend your aunt on sharing her love of cooking with others, and you for sharing her with us!
Thanks Elle – it is the life stories that make these moments extra special. I couldn’t agree more – recipes are certainly one of the best ways to hand down culture and heritage.
oh how awesome is that!! What an accomplishment Jeanette!!
Thanks Cheryl – it is a great accomplishment for my aunt – so happy for her!
So lovely to read your loving appreciation for this very special woman. Inspiring! Will look for her cookbooks. I definitely need help in the area of healthy cooking. Have found wonderful recipes on Pinterest and look forward to learning more every day. Thank you again for your heartwarming post. Congratulations, Auntie Flo!
Thanks for your nice comment Shari – my aunt was way ahead of her times – most of her recipes are very healthy.
This is amazing, J! Congrats to your aunt, who no doubt is a great inspiration to you, the family and all of her fans 🙂
Thanks Kiran – my aunt has certainly been an inspiration for all of us!
Wow!! That is SO amazing! congrats to your aunt!!
What a tremendous accomplishment and wonderful moment of recognition for your aunt, congratulations to her!
What an honor to be recognized with that award. I love her story, and I think it is so important to preserve that cultural heritage and teach the future generations about the way we eat. I will have to see if I can’t find a few of her cookbooks to add to my collection.
Thanks for your well wishes Shaina – I couldn’t agree with you more about preserving cultural heritage through food. As I get older, I appreciate it all the more.
Hi Jeannette, I saw this on FB. What an impressive achievement and recognition of your aunt’s. You and your entire family must be so proud. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I am a huge fan of your aunts and was trying to track her down. I am a fellow chef and author. I wish her books would be reprinted for a new generation to enjoy. Is there any way I can speak with her?
Thanx,
Jason
Hi Jason, I wish my aunt would reprint her cookbooks too. Fortunately, I have copies of them, some of which I acquired second hand. Unfortunately, she doesn’t use email. If you want to send me a note, I can try to get it to her.
Hi Jeanette,
Thank you for your speedy response. Would it be possible if I can either give you my phone number or other info? If so, may I have your email to send you this information privately?
Jason, my email is jeanetteshealthyliving@gmail.com
I studied with your aunt back in the early 1980’s – what a wonderful person and a great teacher. I had spent most of youth in Taiwan (from age 14 to 28) and was already a decent cook – mostly Sichuan and Shandong dishes – and still I found your aunt to be a font of knowledge and techniques that were new to me. Wonderful to see her pictures and know that she is still inspiring other cooks.
How cool Kenneth! Thanks so much for leaving your comment. I’ll send this along to her.
I was friends with Kay in 5th and 6th grades and remember her Mom with fondness.I remember enjoying her meals when I would sleep over! She was always so nice and I’m thrilled to see this news about her! God bless her!
Susan, that is so funny, what a small world!