Poh Ling Yeow
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Poh Ling Yeow was born in Malaysia in 1973, spending the first nine years of her life in Kuala Lumpur. Her family then migrated to South Australia where she now lives and works. After completing a Bachelor of Design specialising in illustration at the University of South Australia, Poh freelanced as a graphic designer and illustrator and then began painting full-time in 2002. With over 20 exhibitions under her belt, 9 have been solos and her list of clients boasts corporate collectors such as BHP Billiton.Just as Poh's art explores notions of belonging and origin, so does her intentions with food. As a fifth-generation Chinese Malaysian Yeow's interest in cooking began as an attempt at reconciling this heritage with her Western identity. “Desperately wanting to assimilate as a child migrant, I shed everything that made me feel different in my new country. In my 30s I suddenly realised that food is the vehicle that can help me keep in touch with my past, the history of my ancestors. It is a way I can still bond with the generations before me, even with the loss of traditional values and language”.
In the last 2 years Poh found her interest in food intensifying to a point where she could no longer deny she wanted to pursue it as a career and when a friend suggested she entered MasterChef, she saw a rare window of opportunity. Always thinking outside the square with her artistic sensibilities and paying homage to the traditional cooking she grew up with, Poh secured herself a position in the finale, coming 2nd runner up.
With her own cooking show, Poh’s Kitchen on ABC1 in its second season and 2 cookbook publishing deal with Harper-Collins, Poh is excited and determined to introduce the cuisine of Malaysia to the dinner tables of Australia.
Catch Poh Ling Yeow at the following Tasting Australia events:
L-Plates Learn from the Masters - Fri 27 April
Kids in the Kitchen Presented by San Remo - Sat 28 April
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