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THE COMPLICATED BEAUTY OF INAUTHENTIC FOOD
book design. cover design. art direction.
writing.
In addition to my interest in fish, a growing fascination of mine has been the origins of dishes in various cuisines — particularly how culture, emigration, colonialism, and class have played a part. I’ve come to really appreciate how deeply connected so many cultures are, and how food is often at the center.
This saddle-stitch book contains my writing from a research project into the origins of foods I grew up eating and how they can be seen as inauthentic, despite being so vital to the culture of Hong Kong cuisine. This idea of inauthentic food began to grow into a deeper exploration of food as a mode of cultural sharing, serving as an emblem of history intertwined with people's stories and identities.
The book begins by exploring my personal experience growing up and eating at Hong Kong-style diners known as Cha Chaan Teng. These restaurants were established to allow the lower-class Hong Kong Chinese to indulge in the same luxuries as British colonizers through food. Whilst this writing and research draws from my personal experiences, I hope to expand my understanding of food origins through reading about other people's experiences. This prompted me to create this book and share my ideas with others, inviting any feedback and input. If you'd like to read this please send me an email!