If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that the Instant Pot has been one of my best friends in the kitchen. From Hong Kong–style comfort food to quick weeknight family dinners, it’s the pot that never lets me down.
But here’s something I never imagined when I first started sharing recipes online: Instant Pot has named me Chef of the Year! 🏆
A Dream Come True
I’ve always dreamed of having my recipes showcased by Instant Pot. I remember the first time I posted a simple curry beef brisket — I thought maybe a few people might try it, but I never thought it would grow into this amazing (small but mighty) community I now call “the Canto Crew”. Every like, comment, and “I made this for my family!” has kept me going. And now five of my recipes are on the Instant Pot Website and I am on their home page!
Back in April, I was named Instant Pot Chef of the Month. At the time, I thought it was a small, sweet recognition and that would be the end of it. Honestly, I didn’t think they would ever pick me again. I was just happy that one of my recipes had been noticed.
So when I opened my email and saw the words “Congratulations, Chef of the Year” — I literally had to read it three times. I was shocked, humbled, and honestly a little teary-eyed. It felt surreal. I still remembered I ran up to the craft room to tell my husband and he was equally shocked.
The Special Gift Box
To celebrate, Instant Pot sent me a very nice gift box and I got to back my favorite appliances. Of course, I had to unbox it with you all! Inside was the brand-new Instant Pot Pro Plus, the Crisp Air Fryer Lid, and a bundle of accessories.
It felt like Christmas morning — except better, because now I get to create even more recipes to share with you. Think air-fried egg tarts, braised beef brisket, and maybe even some creative “唔正宗茶記” (non-auntentic Cha Chaan Teng) twists. 😉
Why This Award Matters
To me, this award feels like it belongs to all of us!
Cooking has always been part of my life — not in a fancy, professional way, but in the everyday family sense. Late dinners after work, one-pot meals on busy nights, teaching my kids about the foods I grew up with in Hong Kong. The Instant Pot made those moments easier, and in some ways, it brought me closer to sharing those traditions with all of you.
That’s why this recognition feels less like an award for me, and more like a sign that these simple, family-centered recipes matter. They carry pieces of culture, memory, and comfort.
What’s Next?
Lately, I’ve been so curious about learning the Instant Pot in depth — not just pressure cooking, but also the air fryer and all the little tricks each model can do. (I might own all three sizes already… 🙈).
I don’t know exactly where this journey will take me, but I do know I want to keep creating:
- One-pot meals that busy families can rely on
- Recipes that hold on to Hong Kong flavors and nostalgia
- Maybe, one day, even a Hong Kong Instant Pot cookbook
That might sound far away, but for now, I just want to keep cooking and learning — step by step, meal by meal.
A Little Dream
If I let myself dream out loud, maybe one day when you see a pressure cooker or air fryer, you’ll think of me — not as “the winner of an award,” but as someone who helps make these tools a little less intimidating and a lot more fun.
Until then, I’m grateful for this small encouragement and for everyone who cooks along with me. That’s what truly keeps me going.
And once again — thank you for being here, for cooking with me, and for making this community feel like family. This award isn’t just mine, it’s ours. ❤️
