Martin Yan

Diane was busy tonight so I was going to go home and just code- but then Emily called me up and said she had some free Chinese food available. Turns out it was with Martin Yan at his new restaurant.

So, I went with her to Yan Can in Santa Clara- there was a non-profit benefit there, and the foundation she worked for had tickets… We came late and the only seats remaining were outside (no heaters!) but that was ok- I think Em was sick of the non-profit scene for the day and just wanted a break. Our waitress, Emma, was extremely cool and took care of us.

This particular Yan Can had just opened for business, and Martin Yan himself was there. He did a small floor show after the appetizers were served to entertain the non-profit people. He showed us how to debone a chicken (after giving it a massage), and how to cut garlic and skin ginger with a giant meat cleaver. Amazingly, I don’t even remember how he tied all these things together (we didn’t even have chicken, we had beef and vegetables!) but somehow it made sense at the time.

Mr. Yan is a master at self-promotion. During his routine he promoted his new cookbook, parts of the regular menu at the restaurant, and the line of knives he sells, but again, it made sense at the time.

I have heard rumors about how he puts on a fake accent for his TV show, and I have to say that unless he was doing his act the entire time we were there, even when he was exhausted and signing photos, that just isn’t true. But in a way… who cares! He was cool and I had a good time.

Diane was busy tonight so I was going to go home and just code- but then Emily called me up and said she had some free Chinese food available. Turns out it was with Martin Yan at his new restaurant!