Renowned food critic, TV personality and former film producer Chua Lam has died at the age of 83.

The news was announced on his Facebook and Weibo pages yesterday (June 27), with the posts reading: "Our beloved Mr Chua Lam passed away peacefully at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on June 25, 2025, accompanied by relatives and friends.

"In accordance with his wishes, no ceremony will be held, and his body has been cremated.

"Thank you all for your concern for Mr Chua."

Jackie Chan was one of several celebrities who have paid tribute to Chua Lam, who produced several of the former's films including City Hunter (1993), Crime Story (1993), Thunderbolt (1995) and Mr Nice Guy (1997).

Calling Chua Lam his "half-master" on Facebook, the 71-year-old wrote of the "fresh and inspiring" stories the former shared with him, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao while filming in Europe. 

"I was on the set when I heard the news my 'half-master' had passed away," he continued. "The first thing that surfaced in my mind were the times we filmed together overseas. 

"Back then, he taught me many meaningful lessons, and it wasn’t until later in life that I started to slowly understand. I recall him saying how our time on earth is about learning how to live, how to die, and how to survive. 

"And the most important thing in life depends on whether you’re happy or not. I know that he lived a free-spirited and joyful life, which is most important."

Benny Se Teo, local founder of restaurant chain Eighteen Chefs, wrote on Instagram: "A towering figure in the culinary world... Chua's wit, unapologetic palate and lifelong passion for food shaped the way many including myself see and taste the world.

"He wasn’t just a gourmand, he was a storyteller whose insights and irreverent charm left a lasting legacy across Asia’s food scene."

The Singaporean chef also called Chua Lam "a flavour that lingers".

Hong Kong director Patrick Kong posted in his Instagram Story that he had grown up reading Chua Lam's books, and learnt "what a tasteful life is" from him.

Hong Kong-based French actress and patissier Amanda Strang wrote: "To my mentor, my master, thank you for inspiring my culinary journey. Because of you, I've learnt so much about cuisine and the connections it fosters between people."

She added that losing Chua Lam is "deeply painful" and that he will be "dearly missed".

Born in Singapore, Chua Lam was the brother of Chua Liang, 91, former principal of Nanyang Girls’ High School, and late TV drama producer Chua Swan, according to The Straits Times. He was married to former film producer Cheung King-man, who died in 2023.

Chua Lam moved to Hong Kong in 1963, where he worked with film houses Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest. He was also a food columnist for Oriental Daily and Next Media, and had over 150 books to his name.

He co-hosted The Celebrity Talk Show with science fiction writer Ni Kuang and songwriter James Wong in 1989, interviewing the likes of Maggie Cheung, Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, Joey Wang and more.

Chua Lam was also the last living member of the Four Great Talents of Hong Kong, a title he shared with James, Ni Kuang and martial arts writer Louis Cha.

drimac@asiaone.com

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