Edible Memory: From Cookbook to Camera-A Look Back at My TV Cooking Appearance
- luluskitchennapa
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
I can’t believe it’s been over 14 years since I appeared on ABC’s View From the Bay. So much has changed since then — videos have vanished, websites have evolved — yet this clip has managed to survive the test of time. It’s a small but meaningful reminder of how unexpected paths can unfold when you say yes to a creative project.
Back then, I had just released Shanghai Dragon's Journey West, a cookbook that honors my parents’ journey from China to Taiwan and eventually to the U.S. What began as a deeply personal tribute turned into a whirlwind of local TV appearances — something I never imagined when I first started writing recipes and collecting family stories.
To prepare for the segment, I went all in: I hired a director and a camera operator to give me a crash course in how to pull off a 5-10 minute live cooking demo. It turns out, there’s a lot more to it than just knowing how to cook. From setting up ingredient displays and choosing camera-friendly outfits to strategically placing your cookbook on set — and squeezing in just the right sound bites — it was a full production. The pros make it look effortless, but let me tell you, there’s an art to making live cooking look natural!
If you watch the clip until the end, there’s a sweet surprise: they included a little moment with Dylan, who charmingly confesses that kung pao chicken isn’t his favorite.
Instead, he gives a shoutout to three-cup chicken — a dish he still loves to this day.
You never really know where a project will take you — but sometimes, the journey is just as flavorful as the food.
📚 If you're interested, you can get your PDF copy of Shanghai Dragon's Journey West
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