Chef German Lam dishes on being a dad in the kitchen

Chef Lam , Glam Foods LLC.

Both of chef German Lam's parents are self taught chefs with plenty of love, passion and pride to nourish their entire family. Lam reminisces, "I would go shopping with my mom to the produce market every Saturday.  Another place [we went] would be Chinatown for fresh Asian produce, seafood, meat and poultry.  Whatever they made is was simply tasty:  Steamed Pork Ribs with Black Beans and Fresh Garlic, Steamed Whole Fish with Ginger, Scallions and Cilantro with Drizzle Lite Soy Sauce and Hot Vegetable oil. Poached Whole Chicken with Ginger and Scallion Relish."

As a child German Lam was always hands-on in the kitchen helping his parents with the prep, cleaning and tasting.  "My parents are my culinary mentors." says Lam.

Chef Lam is dad to Jonathan who is 8 years old and Steven who is 6 years old. He is a hockey dad.  Chef Lam's company Glam Foods LLC is all about healthy eating.  As a dad (and hockey dad) there is a focus on fueling the body with the right food groups for energy, endurance and performance.  

When it comes to picky and adventurous eaters,  chef Lam, points out that  it starts with parents educating their children.  Lam comments, "Just like coaching, teach them [your children] the importance of the food groups and different ingredients used by different cultures, preparations and cuisines from around the world.  Eating is learning food history, what each culture has for breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon snacks."  

When it comes to his own kids, Chef Lam says they are great eaters.  Jonathan and Steven eat everything from fried chicken, monkfish, liver paté, rack of lamb, homemade pizza, hot dogs and orzo pasta with baked Italian chicken with broccoli tomatoes and scallions. "You feed your kids to be strong, confident, and flexible to all food groups.  They are what they eat." says chef German Lam.

As a professional chef with over 20 years of experience, Lam has created a particular cooking style and several cooking programs.  His cooking style is perfect for parents because he keeps it simple with quick preparations and recipes.  The dishes are inclusive of many colours of foods (naturally colourful of course) which is nutritionally important but also key as kids eat with their eyes. 

Chef Lam makes a wonderful Orzo Pasta with Shrimp Salad over Soy Beans and Tomatoes with a Cilantro, Grapeseed Oil and Lemon dressing.

When asked about cooking with his Dad, Chef Lam remembers having his father teach him how to butcher meat, prep seafood, and learn some knife skills for the vegetables.  

For his father's day this year, the grill will be on and there will be dry rub pork ribs poached in beer and BBQ sauce.  

Chef Lam shares one of his fusion recipes perfect for a summer day.