Versatile HK-based food critic and columnist dies

Chua Lam, a Hong Kong-based food critic and columnist who wielded significant influence in the movie, literature and catering sectors, died on Wednesday at the age of 83.

It was announced on his Facebook page on Friday.

Chua's obituary, which was posted at 3:36 pm on Friday, said that he was surrounded by family and friends when he passed away peacefully at the Hong Kong Sanatorium& Hospital on Wednesday.

Chua's body has been cremated and no ceremony will be held, in accordance with his wishes, as he did not wish to disturb family and friends, according to the obituary.

Chua, along with martial arts novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung, lyricist James Wong Jim, and science-fiction writer Ni Kuang, were known as the "Four Talents of Hong Kong" for their artistic creativity and influence. Chua was the last of the four esteemed masters to pass away.

Born in Singapore in 1941 to a family with ancestral roots in Chaozhou, Guangdong province, Chua worked for several renowned movie companies in his early career, including the Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest.

He began writing in the 1980s and published many works, mostly about food and travel.

A representative image of Chua in popular culture is that he often tried dishes in diverse locations and composed reviews of the food, with his dine-in photos being displayed in numerous restaurants across Hong Kong.

In the 1990s, Chua started his business in the catering realm, opening many restaurants in Hong Kong, Macao and the Chinese mainland.

In April, when media reports said that Chua had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, he responded on Weibo, stating that there was no need to worry about his health.

Celebrities and netizens have shown their respect for Chua, and some described his death as "the end of an era".

Lawmaker Ma Fung-kwok, who is also a senior film producer and distributor, recalled his long acquaintance with Chua, describing him as a person who deserved trust and respect.

His versatility, erudition and extensive knowledge, coupled with his sincerity towards others, were truly admirable, Ma told China Daily.

He said that Chua had a resplendent life, which few people could equal, and the rich writings and television recordings Chua left behind are important legacies for the public.

Chua's life achievements span the fields of performing arts, culture, publishing and food and beverage, leaving an irreplaceable spiritual legacy for generations of Hong Kong residents, as well as a guide to life in the global Chinese-speaking world, according to lawmaker Kenneth Fok Kai-kong who expressed his respect for Chua in a statement received by China Daily.

Chen Xiaoqing, a mainland director renowned for award-winning food documentaries and writing, said he had been deeply fortunate to know Chua for over 20 years.

Chua's remarkable spirit, artistic brilliance and profound humanity will be cherished forever, said Chen in a social media post.

Huang Yawen contributed to this story.