#SHOWBIZ: Jackie Chan mourns loss of Singapore-born food critic Chua Lam

New Straits Times

01-07-2025

HONG KONG: Renowned Singapore-born food critic, TV personality, and former film producer Chua Lam has died at the age of 83.
AsiaOne reported yesterday that his death was announced on his Facebook and Weibo pages on 27 June, with the posts reading: "Our beloved Mr Chua Lam passed away peacefully at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on 25 June 2025, accompanied by relatives and friends. In accordance with his wishes, no ceremony will be held, and his body has been cremated. Thank you all for your concern for Mr Chua."
Martial arts icon Jackie Chan was among several celebrities who paid tribute to Chua, who produced several of Chan's films, including City Hunter (1993), Crime Story (1993), Thunderbolt (1995), and Mr Nice Guy (1997).
Calling Chua his "half-master" on Facebook, the 71-year-old wrote about the "fresh and inspiring" stories the former shared with him, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao while filming in Europe.
"I was on the set when I heard the news my 'half-master' had passed away," he said.
"The first thing that surfaced in my mind were the times we filmed together overseas. Back then, he taught me many meaningful lessons, and it wasn't until later in life that I started to slowly understand.
"I recall him saying how our time on Earth is about learning how to live, how to die, and how to survive."
Chan added: And the most important thing in life depends on whether you're happy or not. I know that he lived a free-spirited and joyful life, which is most important."
Benny Se Teo, founder of restaurant chain Eighteen Chefs, wrote on Instagram: "A towering figure in the culinary world, Chua's wit, unapologetic palate and lifelong passion for food shaped the way many, including myself, see and taste the world. He wasn't just a gourmand, he was a storyteller whose insights and irreverent charm left a lasting legacy across Asia's food scene."
The Singaporean chef also described Chua as "a flavour that lingers".
Hong Kong director Patrick Kong posted on his Instagram Story that he had grown up reading Chua's books and learned "what a tasteful life is" from him.
Hong Kong-based French actress and patissier Amanda Strang wrote: "To my mentor, my master, thank you for inspiring my culinary journey. Because of you, I've learned so much about cuisine and the connections it fosters between people."
She added that losing Chua was "deeply painful" and that he will be "dearly missed".
Born in Singapore, Chua was the brother of Chua Liang, 91, the former principal of Nanyang Girls' High School, and the late TV drama producer Chua Swan, according to The Straits Times.
He was married to former film producer Cheung King-Man, who died in 2023.
Chua moved to Hong Kong in 1963, where he worked with film houses Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest.
He was also a food columnist for Oriental Daily and Next Media, and had over 150 books to his name.
In 1989, he co-hosted The Celebrity Talk Show with science fiction writer Ni Kuang and songwriter James Wong, interviewing personalities such as Maggie Cheung, Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, and Joey Wong.
Chua was also the last living member of the Four Great Talents of Hong Kong, a title he shared with James Wong, Ni Kuang, and martial arts writer Louis Cha.