Episode 301: Inga Lam’s Curiosity for Food Led Her to Buzzfeed and Culinary School in Paris!
Dec 6, 2024
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Inga Lam, a vibrant food content creator and recent graduate from culinary school in Paris, shares her delightful culinary journey. She discusses her transition from BuzzFeed to her own YouTube channel, emphasizing the cultural influences that shape her cooking. Inga shares personal anecdotes connecting food with family traditions, the joy of baking bread in Paris, and her favorite New York eateries. She also touches on the balance between creative freedom and financial stability in pursuing culinary passions, leaving listeners hungry for more!
Inga Lam's culinary journey reflects her childhood passion for food, emphasizing the importance of family traditions and connections through cooking.
Her experience at BuzzFeed ignited a desire to share cultural heritage, showcasing how culinary storytelling can inspire others.
Inga encourages overcoming cooking intimidation by building confidence through practice, highlighting that learning from mistakes leads to personal growth.
Deep dives
McDonald's AAPI Support Initiatives
McDonald's has actively supported AAPI students for over 15 years through their APA Next platform, which offers a wide array of resources aimed at fostering academic success. This includes workshops, mentorships, mental health initiatives, and a Changemaker content series that encourages community engagement. Notably, they offer scholarships at two tiers: a $20,000 scholarship distributed over four years and a $5,000 scholarship for one academic year to eligible students. Additionally, they have partnered with Yellow Chair Collective to enhance mental health support for parents and students involved in the college admissions process.
Inka's Culinary Journey
Inka Lam's passion for food is deeply rooted in her childhood, where she spent significant time cooking with her grandfather and celebrating family traditions centered around food. Before becoming a successful content creator, Inka worked at BuzzFeed, where she produced viral food videos, igniting her desire to share her cultural heritage through culinary storytelling. She encourages viewers to cultivate a positive relationship with food and emphasizes that cooking can serve as both a creative outlet and a means to connect with others. Inka's journey from a corporate environment to independent creation demonstrates her dedication to following her passion.
Navigating the Culinary Landscape
Inka shares her unique approach to exploring new cities through food by researching and curating lists of must-try restaurants and experiences. She emphasizes the importance of remaining flexible during her travels, allowing for spontaneous culinary discoveries while also seeking places that resonate with her personal food preferences. Inka's method involves balancing recommendations from trusted sources with her own research to create a fulfilling culinary itinerary. This focus on exploration and curiosity helps her build connections with different cultures through their food offerings.
The Importance of Food as Love Language
Inka reflects on how food represents a form of love and connection within her family, noting that even during conflicts, shared meals serve as a way to express care and affection. Her food memories are intertwined with significant family gatherings and traditions, reaffirming the idea that culinary experiences foster strong familial bonds. She explains that cooking is not merely about sustenance, but also about expressing creativity and emotions, effectively highlighting the cultural significance of food. Through her content, Inka encourages others to view cooking as a way to connect with their own families and heritage.
Learning and Growing in the Kitchen
Inka offers valuable advice for individuals who are intimidated by cooking, emphasizing the necessity of practice and willingness to learn from mistakes. She notes that confidence in the kitchen is built through trial and error, with each cooking experience contributing to personal growth and skill enhancement. By encouraging individuals to embrace the learning process, Inka inspires her audience to take ownership of their culinary journeys, emphasizing that anyone can cook if they are committed to trying. Her insights resonate with those looking to build a positive, enriching relationship with cooking.
Grab your favorite snack or meal, because today’s episode will probably make you hungry! If you love food, then Inga Lam’s content has probably graced your YouTube screen at some point. From her Buzzfeed days, to now creating for her own channel, Inga’s approachable and fun content promotes a positive relationship with food. She recently got back from culinary school in Paris, so we’re excited to hear about all the bread she made, what her favorite New York food spots are, and where her curiosity for cooking will lead her next!
