Adam Liaw

{{short description|Australian cook, television presenter and author}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Adam Liaw

| image = Adam Liaw.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Liaw in 2012

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1978|9|8}}

| birth_place = Penang, Malaysia

| nationality = Australian

| known_for =

| television =

| education = Bachelor of Science (Pharmacology),
Bachelor of Law

| alma_mater = University of Adelaide,
Prince Alfred College

| employer =

| organization =

| occupation = {{hlist|Cook|television presenter|producer|author}}

| years_active =

| title =

| predecessor = Julie Goodwin

| successor = Kate Bracks

| spouse = Asami Fujitsuka

| children = 3{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/news/how-to-bring-the-family-together-come-christmas-time-20191128-h1k05g|title=How to bring the family together come Christmas time|first=Amy|last=Cooper|date=2 December 2019|website=Good Food}}

| awards = Winner, MasterChef Australia

| website = [http://www.adamliaw.com adamliaw.com]

}}

Adam Liaw ({{lang-zh|t=廖崇明|p=Liào Chóngmíng}};{{Cite news|title=檳名廚獲贊助百萬澳拍片推大馬美食|publisher=GuangMing Daily |date=12 August 2020 |url=https://guangming.com.my/%E6%AA%B3%E5%90%8D%E5%BB%9A%E7%8D%B2%E8%B4%8A%E5%8A%A9%E7%99%BE%E8%90%AC-%E6%BE%B3%E6%8B%8D%E7%89%87%E6%8E%A8%E5%A4%A7%E9%A6%AC%E7%BE%8E%E9%A3%9F |access-date=13 September 2022 }} born 8 September 1978){{citation needed|date=May 2023}} is a Malaysian-born Australian cook, television presenter and author. He was the winner of the second season of MasterChef Australia, defeating student Callum Hann in the final.{{Cite news|title=Adam Liaw wins MasterChef Australia |work=The Spy Report |publisher=Media Spy |date=25 July 2010 |url=http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/07/25/adam-liaw-wins-masterchef-australia/ |access-date=25 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728054751/http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/07/25/adam-liaw-wins-masterchef-australia/ |archive-date=28 July 2010 |url-status=dead }} Liaw has produced, written and hosted his own cooking programs, including the Destination Flavour series and the talk and cooking show The Cook Up with Adam Liaw on SBS Food.{{Cite news|title=The Cook Up With Adam Liaw returns for its fourth season on SBS Food |publisher=Mediaweek |date=23 January 2023 |url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/the-cook-up-with-adam-liaw-returns-for-its-fourth-season/ |access-date=12 April 2023}}

Early life

Liaw was born in Penang, Malaysia,{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/celebrity-chef-adam-liaw-looks-back-on-early-life-in-australia|title=Celebrity chef Adam Liaw looks back on early life in Australia|website=SBS News}} to a Malaysian Chinese father, Dr Siaw-Lin Liaw,{{cite web |url=http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx?q=MED0001322010&t=9j9C9kt8q4TUHd61T6nJ |title=Siaw Lin Liaw |work=ahpra.gov.au |access-date=27 July 2010}} and a Singaporean-born English mother, Dr Joyce Hill AM.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2009/06/08/2592326.htm |title=Queen's honours for orphanage founder |date=8 June 2009 |work=abc.net.au |access-date=27 July 2010 }} He is the second of three children, with an older brother and younger sister. His family moved to Adelaide when Liaw was age 3. After his parents divorced and his mother moved to New Zealand, Liaw lived with his paternal grandmother whom he credits with a huge influence on his cooking and his life.{{cite web |url=http://www.masterchef.com.au/news-adam-liaw-wins-masterchef-australia.htm |title=Adam Liaw wins MasterChef Australia |date=26 July 2010 |work=masterchef.com.au |access-date=26 July 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100727082447/http://www.masterchef.com.au/news-adam-liaw-wins-masterchef-australia.htm| archive-date= 27 July 2010 | url-status= live}}

Liaw completed Year 11 at Prince Alfred College at age 14 and enrolled in university at 16. He graduated with a double degree in Science and Law from the University of Adelaide at 21.{{cite web |url=http://www.masterchef.com.au/adam-liaw.htm | title=Adam Liaw| work=masterchef.com.au |access-date=22 July 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100717081237/http://www.masterchef.com.au/adam-liaw.htm| archive-date= 17 July 2010 | url-status= live}}

After graduation, Liaw was employed by Kelly & Co Lawyers in Adelaide where he worked in technology, commercial/corporate law, business advisory and international trade. He was also a committee member, legal adviser and secretary of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association,{{cite web |url=http://www.hkfederation.org.hk/forum/forum2004/previous/participant_detail.asp?reg_num=10183 |title=Hong Kong Forum| year=2004 |work=hkfederation.org.hk |access-date=26 July 2010}} assisting South Australian companies to expand their business into Hong Kong and mainland China.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

In 2004, Liaw moved to Japan where he worked in media law for The Walt Disney Company.{{cite news |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/tv/made-over-marion-a-hot-favourite-for-masterchef-title/story-e6freeul-1225887514132 |title=Made-over Marion a hot favourite for Masterchef title |last=Marcus |first=Caroline |author2=McWhirter, Fiona |date=4 July 2010 |work=adelaidenow.com.au |access-date=22 July 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100708220612/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/tv/made-over-marion-a-hot-favourite-for-masterchef-title/story-e6freeul-1225887514132| archive-date= 8 July 2010 | url-status= live}}

''MasterChef Australia''

On 29 September 2009, Liaw announced via Twitter that he was considering auditioning for the second season of MasterChef Australia.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/adamliaw/status/4464527019 |title=Twitter post |last=Liaw |first=Adam |date=29 September 2009 |work=twitter.com |access-date=22 July 2010}} In April 2010, he was announced as one of the top 24 finalists.{{cite news |url=http://www.onfood.com.au/Articles/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/573/Top-24-MasterChef-contestants.aspx |title=Top 24 MasterChef contestants |date=27 April 2010 |work=onfood.com.au |access-date=22 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714174623/http://www.onfood.com.au/Articles/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/573/Top-24-MasterChef-contestants.aspx |archive-date=14 July 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Despite winning a challenge cooking the dishes of celebrity chefs, Liaw doubted he had sufficient technique to win the title.{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/i-cant-win-says-masterchefs-adam-liaw/story-e6frfmqr-1225877179918 |title=I can't win, says MasterChef's Adam Liaw |date=9 June 2010 |work=news.com.au|access-date=22 July 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100614061952/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/i-cant-win-says-masterchefs-adam-liaw/story-e6frfmqr-1225877179918| archive-date= 14 June 2010 | url-status= live}}

On 22 July 2010, Liaw was the first challenger awarded a place in the grand finale.{{cite news |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/confidential/callum-adam-take-south-australia-into-masterchef-finals/story-e6fredqc-1225895818398 |title=Callum, Adam take South Australia into MasterChef finals |last=Leo |first=Jessica |date=22 July 2010 |work=adelaidenow.com.au| access-date=22 July 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100725063718/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/confidential/callum-adam-take-south-australia-into-masterchef-finals/story-e6fredqc-1225895818398| archive-date= 25 July 2010 | url-status= live}} On 25 July 2010, he was declared the winner of the second season of MasterChef Australia, defeating Callum Hann 89–82 for the title in the final.{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/adam-wins-masterchef-20100725-10qng.html |title=Adam wins MasterChef |last=Idato |first=Michael |date=25 July 2010 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=25 July 2010| archive-url= https://archive.today/20100728084621/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/adam-wins-masterchef-20100725-10qng.html| archive-date= 28 July 2010 | url-status= live}} His victory is still the most watched non-sporting television event in Australian history.{{Cite news|title = MasterChef smashes ratings record|url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-07-26/masterchef-smashes-ratings-record/918950|website = ABC News|date = 25 July 2010|access-date = 1 January 2016|language = en-AU}}

After winning the show, Liaw considered a number of opportunities, including opening an izakaya restaurant with Tokyo-based Australian chef and friend Matthew Crabbe.{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/adam-beats-callum-in-masterchef-final/story-e6frfmyi-1225896793604 |title=Adam Liaw beats Callum Hann in hot MasterChef do-or-die final |date=26 July 2010 |work=news.com.au |access-date=26 July 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100727211923/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/adam-beats-callum-in-masterchef-final/story-e6frfmyi-1225896793604| archive-date= 27 July 2010 | url-status= live}} He returned to MasterChef Australia as a guest judge for season 4 and season 6.

Books and writing

As the winner of season 2 of MasterChef Australia, Liaw was given the opportunity to write his own cookbook. The book is called Two Asian Kitchens ({{ISBN|9781864711356}}), and was published by Random House Australia in April 2011. Split into two main sections - the Old Kitchen and the New Kitchen - Liaw explores recipes that he has grown up with, along with new creations.{{cite web|url=http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Books/TWO-ASIAN-KITCHENS/9781864711356/Hardback/|title=Two Asian Kitchens|author=Adam Liaw|date=April 2011|publisher=Random House Australia|access-date=1 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124052512/http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Books/TWO-ASIAN-KITCHENS/9781864711356/Hardback/|archive-date=24 January 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The book has received positive reviews in the Australian media.{{cite web |url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/executive-lifestyle/masterchef-winner-cooks-up-some-folk-liaw/story-fn86jbrr-1226021275708|title=MasterChef winner cooks up some folk Liaw|author=John Lethlean|date=5 March 2011|publisher=The Australian|access-date=1 June 2011}}{{cite web |url= http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/hes-a-liaw-unto-himself-20110411-1datg.html|title=He's a Liaw unto himself|author=Helen Greenwood|date=12 April 2011|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=1 June 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theweeklyreview.com.au/well-read-article-display/Masterchef-to-Mr-Chef/3901|title=MasterChef to Mr Chef|author=Peter Wilmoth|date=13 May 2011|publisher=The Weekly Review|access-date=1 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726140246/http://www.theweeklyreview.com.au/well-read-article-display/Masterchef-to-Mr-Chef/3901|archive-date=26 July 2011|url-status=dead}}

Liaw has since published more cookbooks including Asian After Work (2013), Adam's Big Pot (2014), Asian Cookery School (2015) and The Zen Kitchen (2016). He also writes for Fairfax newspapers' Good Food, Sunday Life magazine and The Guardian.{{Cite web|title = About - adamliaw.com |url = http://adamliaw.com/about-2/ |website = adamliaw.com |access-date = 14 May 2017 }}[https://www.theguardian.com/profile/adam-liaw Adam Liaw], www.theguardian.com He used to write for The Wall Street Journal's Scene Asia.{{cite book|url=http://www.booktopia.com.au/asian-after-work-adam-liaw/prod9780733630545.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKEAiAw56lBRCs29jB9uOvkygSJADnD3-6Dj5gUWpzcjvBVdWh2WVJqMNNHxSb_40Wv_yHks4rvRoCOpDw_wcB|title=Booktopia - Asian After Work, Simple Food for Every Day by Adam Liaw, 9780733630545. Buy this book online.|author=Alessia|via=Booktopia}}

Television

On 14 March 2012, it was announced that Liaw will host his own travel/food TV show, Destination Flavour, which premiered on the SBS network in August 2012.{{cite web |url= http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/tv/masterchef-australias-2010-winner-adam-liaw-finally-has-own-tv-show-destination-flavour-on-sbs/story-e6frexlr-1226298611390|title=MasterChef Australia's 2010 winner Adam Liaw finally has own TV show Destination Flavour on SBS|date=14 March 2012|work=dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=13 June 2012}} The series was also co-hosted by Renee Lim and Lily Serna. In September 2013, Destination Flavour: Japan premiered on SBS One with Liaw as the sole host;{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/destinationflavour|title=Destination Flavour|work=SBS}} the series was followed by Destination Flavour: Down Under in September 2014.{{cite web|url=https://shop.abc.net.au/products/destination-flavour-down-under-dvd|title=Destination Flavour - Down Under|author=Commercial Development Unit|work=ABC Shop}} Destination Flavour: Scandinavia premiered on SBS in 2016, with Destination Flavour: Singapore premiering in January 2017 and Destination Flavour: China in November 2018.

In March 2017, Hidden Japan with Adam Liaw premiered on SBS Food. In 2019, he appeared on the seventh season finale of Julia Zemiro's Home Delivery. In late 2020, Liaw hosted Adam Liaw's Road Trip for Good for SBS Food.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

In April 2021, Liaw started hosting a nightly talk and cooking show on SBS Food titled The Cook Up with Adam Liaw. With a 200 episode first season commitment, it was largest commission in SBS's history.{{cite web |url= https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/03/airdate-the-cook-up-with-adam-liaw.html|title=Airdate: The Cook Up with Adam Liaw|date=22 March 2021|work=TV Tonight|access-date=11 May 2022}} The series sees Liaw chatting and cooking with guests including Colin Fassnidge, Julie Goodwin, Jock Zonfrillo, Yumi Stynes, Jessica Rowe and Jimmy Barnes. In October 2021, Liaw teamed up with season one MasterChef Australia runner-up Poh Ling Yeow to present Adam and Poh’s Malaysia in Australia, which explored their shared Malaysian heritage.{{cite web |url= https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/09/airdate-adam-and-pohs-malaysia-in-australia.html|title=Airdate: Adam and Poh's Malaysia in Australia|date=16 September 2021|work=TV Tonight|access-date=11 May 2022}}

In 2022, Liaw joined the ABC panel show Tomorrow Tonight.{{cite web |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/02/returning-tomorrow-tonight.html|title=Returning: Tomorrow Tonight|date=25 February 2022|work=TV Tonight|access-date=11 May 2022}}

Other

Liaw is UNICEF Australia's National Ambassador for Nutrition.{{Cite web|title = Adam Liaw: bringing Asian flavours to the mainstream|url = http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/09/24/4318843.htm|website = Conversations with Richard Fidler|access-date = 1 January 2016|language = en-au|date = 24 September 2015}} In 2016, he was appointed by the Japanese government as a Goodwill Ambassador of Japanese Cuisine.{{Cite web|title = Australia-Japan Foundation Board appointments|url = https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/julie-bishop/media-release/australia-japan-foundation-board-appointments|website = |access-date = 18 May 2022|language = en-au|first = |last = |date = 1 August 2018}} He is also on the board of the Australia-Japan Foundation.

Liaw is prolific on social media. In 2015, BuzzFeed Australia highlighted '19 Reasons You Need to Follow Aussie Chef Adam Liaw on Twitter and Instagram',{{Cite web|title = 19 Reasons You Need To Follow Aussie Chef Adam Liaw on Twitter And Instagram|url = https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikeynicholson/the-aussie-food-king-of-social-media|website = BuzzFeed| date=7 October 2015 |access-date = 31 December 2015}} and '17 Times Aussie Chef Adam Liaw Nailed It on Social Media in 2015'.{{Cite web|title = 17 Times Aussie Chef Adam Liaw Nailed It On Social Media In 2015|url = https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikeynicholson/humour-plus-food-equals-delicious#.eb74XQdP1v|website = BuzzFeed| date=11 December 2015 |access-date = 31 December 2015}}

In 2017, Liaw was named by All Nippon Airways as the Culinary Ambassador for ANA Australia, and created two seasonal menus for the airline.{{Cite web|title = ANA Australia's New Culinary Ambassador - Adam Liaw|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzG2Jh0DjGA|website = YouTube|access-date = 4 September 2017}}

In May 2022, Liaw launched a seven-part podcast series on Audible called How Taste Changed the World.{{Cite web|title = 'It's made me cook better, and I cook a lot': Adam Liaw's delicious new project|url = https://kitchen.nine.com.au/how-to/adam-liaw-interview-cooking-podcast-how-taste-changed-the-world/c7b316f1-29cc-451a-aa90-033d8df3c5e8|website = 9Honey|access-date = 17 May 2022|language = en-au|first = Jane|last = de Graaff |date = 17 May 2022}}