HK-based food critic, writer Chua Lam dies at 83

Chua Lam, a Hong Kong-based columnist and food critic who wielded significant influence in the movie, literature and cutlery 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 and 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 the 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 die.

Born in Singapore in 1941, 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.

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

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chiandailyhk.com