HONG KONG – Two celebrity mothers turned up the heat in the kitchen today, blending family traditions with culinary ambition as they filmed ViuTV’s new food show, “人妻私房料理” (Private Recipes of Wives), promising authentic dishes and personal stories from their home lives.
Actresses Chow Ka-wai and Choi Ka-yan appeared on the set Monday, each bringing a distinct personal touch. Chow, known for her role as daughter-in-law to martial arts legend Sammo Hung, dressed the part of a traditional homemaker. She prepared her hometown specialties of Ningbo hairy crab and shrimp cakes, boasting a repertoire of signature dishes.
When asked whether her father-in-law, Sammo Hung, approves of her cooking, Chow replied with a smile, “He’s OK with it. He often comes over to eat, though less recently because everyone is busy.” She revealed she recently traveled to Malaysia to study under Master Chan Kwok-keung, where she won a silver medal in a local cooking competition. “I want to step into the culinary world,” she said, adding that she plans to launch a ‘Hung Brothers’ brand sauce line in the near future.
Chow also touched on her circle of close friends, known as the “Seven Princesses,” who recently gathered to celebrate birthdays for actresses Annie Man and Tong Yuen-yee. Noting that some are now in their 50s, Chow offered a positive perspective: “It’s just a number. It doesn’t matter. I think we should embrace our age. But among them, I’m the youngest, so I’m not worried for another seven years.”
Choi, meanwhile, described her on-set look as “vacation style,” designed to minimize attention to her postpartum figure. She admitted she has yet to fully recover from giving birth, needing to lose another nine pounds to meet her goal. Her son is nearly two months old, and she is planning a relaxed 100-day celebration.
When asked about having more children, Choi said, “I want to, but my husband doesn’t seem to. We haven’t agreed yet. I don’t mind a boy or a girl, but I’d like to have a pair to keep each other company. I need to ask Chow for advice on how to convince him.”
Chow shared her own experience, saying frankly, “Men are like that. Once a baby arrives, they seem to feel a lot of pressure. I couldn’t reach an agreement either, which is why I still don’t have a daughter.”
Behind the Apron Strings: A New Trend in Celebrity Cooking Shows
The show taps into a growing appetite for authentic, home-style cooking content in Hong Kong. Unlike competitive cooking programs, “人妻私房料理” focuses on personal narratives—each dish carries a family history or a lesson learned in marriage. This approach resonates with audiences seeking relatable, down-to-earth entertainment.
Broader Implications
As more celebrities transition into entrepreneurship, Chow’s plans to market a branded sauce line reflect a wider trend: leveraging personal fame and family heritage into business ventures. With Sammo Hung’s culinary legacy in the background, her venture could attract significant consumer interest. For Choi, balancing motherhood, career, and health goals mirrors challenges faced by many new mothers, making her journey a relatable touchpoint for viewers.
Related reading: For more on celebrity lifestyle and food trends, stay tuned to our Lifestyle & Entertainment section.
