''A Recipe for the Heart'' (

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of va ...

: 美味天王

jyutping Jyutping is a romanisation system for Cantonese developed by the Linguistic Society of Hong Kong (LSHK), an academic group, in 1993. Its formal name is the Linguistic Society of Hong Kong Cantonese Romanization Scheme. The LSHK advocates for ...

: ''Mei5 Mei6 Tin1 Wong4'',

pinyin Hanyu Pinyin (), often shortened to just pinyin, is the official romanization system for Standard Mandarin Chinese in China, and to some extent, in Singapore and Malaysia. It is often used to teach Mandarin, normally written in Chinese for ...

: ''Měi Wèi Tiān Wáng'') is a 1997

TVB Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) is a television broadcasting company based in Hong Kong SAR. The Company operates five free-to-air terrestrial television channels in Hong Kong, with TVB Jade as its main Cantonese language service, and TVB ...

comedy drama with a food theme. Produced by

Tommy Leung Tommy may refer to: People * Tommy (given name) * Tommy Atkins, or just Tommy, a slang term for a common soldier in the British Army Arts and entertainment Film and television * Tommy (1931 film), ''Tommy'' (1931 film), a Soviet drama film * To ...

, it stars

Bobby Au-yeung Robert Au-yeung Tsan-wah (born 28 July 1960) is a Hong Kong actor best known for his comedic roles in many TVB television dramas. He gained wide public attention in the 1990s for his portrayal of Ben Yu in the 1991 legal drama ''File of Justice' ...

Esther Kwan Esther Kwan Wing-ho (), born 16 July 1964 is a Hong Kong retired actress formerly contracted to TVB and ATV. Career Kwan began her acting career after high school at ATV from 1988 to 1993. She moved over to TVB in 1993 and has been at the bro ...

Lydia Shum Lydia Shum Din-ha or Lydia Tin Ha Sum (; 21 July 1945 – 19 February 2008) was a Hong Kong comedian, Master of Ceremonies, MC, actress and singer. Known for her portly figure, signature dark rimmed glasses and bouffant hairstyle, she was affect ...

Paul Chun Paul Chun (; born 26 June 1945) is a Hong Kong actor. He has appeared in more than 130 films and television series since 1949. In 1966, he appeared in ''The Sand Pebbles'', an American film produced and directed by Robert Wise. Early life He wa ...

Louis Koo Louis Koo Tin-lok ( zh, t=古天樂; born 21 October 1970) is a Hong Kong actor, singer and film producer. He began his professional career as an actor in local television series, winning TVB's Best Actor award in 1999 and 2001. After 2001, he f ...

Maggie Cheung Ho-Yee Maggie Cheung Ho-yee (; born 20 March 1969) is a Hong Kong actress. Career Maggie Cheung Ho-yee competed in TVB's 1994 Miss Hong Kong beauty pageant, reaching the final five but not placing. However she did gain a special award for best "pot ...

and

Jessica Hsuan Jessica Hester Hsuan (; PA: syn hyn, also known as Suen Huen, is a Hong Kong actress. Early life Hsuan's father gave her the name Jessica, while her mother gave her the middle name Hester. She was educated in Hong Kong at Maryknoll Convent S ...

as the main cast. The drama is TVB's 30th anniversary drama. Multiple TVB's lead actors and actresses also have cameos in the drama. Original broadcast began on November 10 till December 20, 1997, on TVB Jade channel airing weekdays during the 7:30 to 8:30 pm timeslot. In 2005, the series aired repeated episodes throughout Monday to Friday at 10:45 to 11:45 am.

Synopsis

Kam Yat-san (Bobby Au-yeung) is in a heated cooking competition with master chef Chun Man-sek (Paul Chun). Right before the competition is judged Yat-san accidentally sneezes peppers on to Man-sek dish. When the judges comments that Man-sek dish tastes weird because it has an overpowering pepper taste and announces Yat-san the winner, Yat-san realizes the contest was not judged fairly because of his sneezed the pepper to Man-sek's dish. Man-sek goes insane after losing the competition, disappears and is never heard of again. Three years later Yat-san arrives under the alias Tin Mei-gut at Man-sek's restaurant "Delicious Garden" to atone for his guilt of what happened. Man-sek's restaurant is currently run by his daughter Chun So-so (Esther Kwan), who is also the current head chef. it is failing restaurant because So-so is a terrible cook. Yat-san now as Mei-gut offers to buy 51% stake of the restaurant and teach So-so how to cook. So-so and her mother Tong Yuen-yuen (Lydia Shum) thinks Mei-gut has ulterior motives but takes his offer anyway since it such a good deal for them.

Cast

Main cast

as Kam Yat-san (金一山), Tin Mei-gut (田味吉), Tin Mei-chang (田味橙) :A master chef who won the title unfairly against Chun Man-sek. Uses the alias of Tin Mei-gut to mentor Chun So-so and becomes 51% owner of "Delicious Garden" restaurant. *

as Chun So-so (秦蘇蘇) :Chun Man-sek and Tong Yuen-yuen's daughter. A terrible cook who is trying her best to save her father's "Delicious Garden" restaurant from going out of business. *

as Chun Man-sek (秦萬石) :Former master chef and owner of "Delicious Garden" restaurant. He goes insane and loses his memory after losing an unfairly judged cooking competition to Kam Yat-san. *

as Tong Yuen-yuen (湯圓圓) :Chun Man-sek's wife and Chun So-so's mother. She manages the dining area of the "Delicious Garden" restaurant. She blames Tin Mei-gut for what happened to her husband. *

as Kiu Pak-ko (喬柏高) :A up and coming master chef at "Delicious Garden" rivaled restaurant. Ha Jut-jut had initially thought he was Kam Yat-san because he is able to cook a dish like Yat-san. *

as Ha Jut-jut (夏津津) :A food critic who is a foodie. She gave "Delicious Garden" a bad review because of So-so's terrible cooking, She later develops a crush on Kiu Pak-ko.

Supporting Cast

John Tang John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

as Lam Siu-ding (林小丁) :Kam Yat-san's pupil and assistant cook. *

as Leung Song-song (梁爽爽) :Tin Mei-gut's former cooking classmate who has a huge crush on him *

Cheung Tat-ming Cheung Tat-ming () (born 2 July 1964) is a Hong Kong actor, comedian, director and writer. Personal life Cheung married Ho Nim-chi, a psychiatrist, in September 2001, subsequently announcing their divorce in 2016. They had one son and one daught ...

as Ho B-jai (何B仔) :Tin Mei-gut's and Leung Song-song's cooking mentor. * Jerry Lamb as Ho Siu-king (何小勁) :Kiu Pak-ko assistant cook. *

Chor Yuen Chor Yuen (), born Cheung Po-kin (; 8 October 1934 – 21 February 2022), was a Hong Kong film director, screenwriter, and actor. Chor is credited with over 120 films as director, over 70 films as a writer and over 40 films as an actor. Early ...

as Yu Yau-bo (余有寶) :Owner of "Delicious Garden" rivaled restaurant and Kiu Pak-ko boss. * Fung So Bor as Wong Kuen-kuen (王娟娟) :Yu Yau-bo's wife. *

Angel Sung In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles include ...

as Kei Lim-lim (紀廉廉) :A waitress at "Delicious Garden". Both Siu-ding and Siu-king are rivals for her affection. *

Kwan Hoi-san Herman Kwan Hoi-San () (born Kwan Ming-kok; October 23, 1925 – September 11, 2006) was a Hong Kong actor. His English name was Herman Kwan. Kwan started off as a Cantonese opera actor in street theatre before joining New Voice Opera Troupe (� ...

as Keung Yin (姜研) :The cooking competition judge.

Guest Appearances

Danny Summer Danny is a masculine given name. It is related to the male name Daniel. It may refer to: People * Danny Altmann, British immunologist * Danny Antonucci, Canadian animator, director, producer, and writer *Danny Baker (born 1957), English journal ...

as Wu Tin-chak (胡天擇) *

Bowie Wu Bowie Woo Fung (born 18 January 1932) is a Hong Kong veteran actor and director with family roots in Guangdong, China. A matinée idol in the 1950s and 1960s, he began his acting career in long form Cantonese films 1953, becoming an overnight succ ...

as Wu Sau-sau (胡修修) *

Nancy Sit Nancy Sit Ka-yin ( zh, 薛家燕; born 30 March 1950) is a Hong Kong actress on the TVB network. Her acting career dated back to the 1960s, when she was a popular teen idol alongside Connie Chan Po-chu, and Josephine Siao. Sit recorded many a ...

Yin Jan Jan (燕珍珍) *

Florence Kwok Florence Kwok Siu-Wan (born 25 August 1968) is a Hong Kong film, television, and voice actress. Career In 1992, Kwok was a participant in Miss Hong Kong Pageant. Kwok's entertainment career began at TVB. Kwok was an actress for TVB for ov ...

as Fa Yung-yung (花蓉蓉) *

Lo Mang Lo Mang is a Hong Kong martial artist and actor who was born as Lo Kwan Lam in Hong Kong on 23 July 1952. Primarily known for starring in ''Shaw Brothers'' kung fu movies during the latter part of the 1970s and into the 1980s. He is a member of ...

as Chu Dai-hung (朱大雄) *

Monica Chan Monica Chan Fat-yung (Chinese: 陳法蓉; born 28 October 1966) is a Hong Kong actress and model. She won the Miss Hong Kong 1989 pageant. Before her acting days, Chan graduated from high school in Canada and attended University of Hawaii. Befor ...

as Fanny *

Sunny Chan Sunny Chan Kam-hung (born 1 January 1967) is a Hong Kong television and film actor. Career His film role the 1998 Hong Kong film '' Hold You Tight'' was the role that made him well known to the Chinese and East Asian public, and for which he ...

as Doctor Wong Luk (黃綠醫生) * Deno Cheung as a worker *

Nick Cheung Nick Cheung Ka-fai (; born 2 December 1964) is a Hong Kong actor, singer and director. Background He was formerly a Royal Hong Kong Police officer for four years, but he left the job after his request to be transferred to the criminal investigat ...

as Ah Fai (亞輝) - Pak Ko's junior * Peter Lai (; ) as a swindler * Lai Suen as a deaf woman *

Wayne Lai Wayne Lai Yiu-cheung (; born 4 May 1964) is a Hong Kong actor. He became one of Hong Kong's most successful television actors after starring in TVB hit drama series ''Rosy Business''. Lai won three TVB Anniversary Awards for Best Actor, maki ...

as Dai Se Chun (大蛇春) / Chun Gor (春哥) *

Bowie Lam Bowie Lam (, Lam Bo-yee; born 4 September 1965) is an Hong Kong actor with the TVB network. He has starred in several popular dramas including ''File of Justice'' and '' Healing Hands''. Before working in entertainment, Lam held other occupations ...

as Chan Fun Hei (陳歡喜) *

Gordon Lam Gordon Lam Ka-tung (林家棟; born 21 September 1967) is a Hong Kong actor, film producer and screenwriter. Initially known for his supporting roles in films directed by Andrew Lau and Johnnie To, Lam eventually became a lead actor in the Hon ...

as Ho Kai (浩佳) *

Law Kar-ying Dr Law Kar-ying BBS MH (born September 22, 1946) is a Hong Kong Cantonese opera singer and actor. Background Born Law Hang-tong on September 22 (August 27 Lunar), 1946 in Shunde, Guangdong as the eldest son of actor Law Kar-kuen (羅家權) an ...

as Cheung Tin Sang (蔣天生) *

Gallen Lo Gallen Lo Ka-leung () is a Hong Kong actor and singer who primarily acts in television series. He is sometimes credited as King Gallen or Law Ka-Leung. Career Lo started his television career in 1984 at ATV. He received short-term success in a ...

as Sui Hau Lo (水喉佬) *

Lau Dan Danny Lau Dan (; born 13 January 1944) is a Hong Kong actor. Works Lau is known to portray good characters, but could play cunning and sly characters with ease (includes ''The Bund'' and ''Land of Wealth''). He is most noted for being the on ...

as Lam Kam Sing (林金成) *

Joey Leung Joey Leung Wing-Chung (; born September 10, 1965), is a Hong Kong actor, director, screenwriter / playwright, program host (TV & Radio) and drama tutor. Career He has starred in movies such as ''Girl Boxer'' (2004), ''Master of Martial Arts'' (1 ...

* Celine Ma as Bo Choi Lin (菠菜蓮) *

Mak Cheung-ching Evergreen Mak Cheung-ching (, born 18 December 1968), better known as Makbau (麥包), is a Hong Kong actor. He had been an actor with TVB for more than 30 years. Early life Mak was born in Shunde District, Foshan, China, and his ancestral hom ...

as a robber *

Miriam Yeung Miriam Yeung (born 3 February 1974) is a Hong Kong actress and Cantopop diva. As of 2020, she has released more than 35 albums and has starred in more than 40 films. In 2012, Yeung won the Award for Best Actress at the 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards ...

as Yau Ka Ka (尤嘉嘉) *

Carlo Ng Carlo is a given name. It is an Italian form of Charles. It can refer to: *Carlo (name) *Monte Carlo *Carlingford, New South Wales, a suburb in north-west Sydney, New South Wales, Australia *A satirical song written by Dafydd Iwan about Prince Char ...

as Ah Sui (亞水) *

Ram Chiang Ram Chiang Chi-kwong (born 2 July 1961), Although TVB's website lists his birthday as July 1 Ram Chiang has gone on record saying that date is wron is a Hong Kong people, Hong Kong actor and former singer-composer, currently under Television Bro ...

as Lee Tim Fuk (李添福) * Yu Tze-ming as Pang Tung (彭東)

References

spcnet.tv

External links

Official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Recipe For The Heart, A TVB dramas 1997 Hong Kong television series debuts 1997 Hong Kong television series endings