God of Cookery by Stephen Chow & Lee Lik-Chi

Kung Fu Hustle Star Plays an Arrogant Chinese Chef in this Comedy

Sep 11, 2009

Chinese cuisine lies at the heart of this raucous HK movie, where Stephen Chow's chef learns to cook from the heart. Also stars Ng Man Tat, Karen Mok & Vincent Kok.

God of Cookery stands out from Stephen Chow’s rags to riches stories as it starts with Chow at the helm of success. Stephen Chow plays a stuck-up Hong Kong chef, who is more interested in money-making than food. Temperamental and unpredictable, Chow’s portraiture of celebrity chefs is spot-on, and this film’s 1996 release means it was ahead of its time.

Chef’s Journey - Cooking with Heart

God of Cookery is about a greedy chef who discovers the true meaning of cooking with heart. The movie kicks off with a delightful montage of Chinese gourmet techniques. Stephen Chow is introduced as the God of Cookery, who rather than crown a new champion, denounces all other contestants instead. Hong Kong’s ‘mo lei tau’ humour (silly talk) is stretched to hilarious proportions when Stephen Chow eliminates a chef from the competition for being ugly. Yet he hypocritically bangs on about cooking from the heart. The movie reveals that Chow himself does not have much heart: he dunks an employee’s face into cake for laughs, and his only fan is a transvestite schoolgirl (a character who regularly appears in Chow’s films). Along the way, viewers learn about Chinese dishes like Assorted Noodles, Pissing Shrimp and Beef Balls.

This movie combines the talents of comedy director Lee Lik-Chi and Stephen Chow. Stephen Chow starred in many Lee Lik-Chi films like Love on Delivery, From Beijing with Love and The Lucky Guy (also with a food theme). God of Cookery is another example where a superb balance is struck between structure and improvisation. Theatrical transitions and scene choreography make this film dramatic. An example is the close-up on a chef’s gaping mouth leading to the TV host preparing his speech in darkness. Quick-paced editing enhances comic moments. There are also surprising bird’s eye view shots of Ng Man Tat throwing Chow a cigar, or Chow handing a handkerchief to a tripped Bull Tong (Vincent Kok).

This movie rests comfortably on flashbacks and fast-forwards. When ex-celebrity chef Stephen Chow and Turkey (Karen Mok) face each other at Temple Street, the frame freezes then speeds back to Chow’s past. Later when Chow is attacked by a hitman in China, the movie fast-forwards to the cookery competition a month on. Thus the movie plays on structure of time to keep viewers on their toes.

Leads Stephen Chow & Karen Mok

Stephen Chow shows off his acting chops with a character one loves to hate, until his business and title are usurped by Bull Tong. Beaten and broken in the street corner, Chow finally learns to savour a simple meal. Karen Mok is magnificent as Turkey, the street-hardened food seller who grabs a knife with bare hands. Playing Chow’s admirer, she chases him down in a running scene, precursor to the running scene in Kung Fu Hustle.

Comedy Performances - Ng Man Tat & Vincent Kok

God of Cookery is bursting with comic characterisation. Everyone caught on camera adds something funny, down to the disapproving employee who stares at a laughing Bull Tong. Ng Man Tat, usually Stephen Chow’s sidekick, plays a rich businessman here to perfection. Vincent Kok’s innocent, fleshy Bull Tong makes his villain saccharine and deceptive.

There is also a dig at martial arts, with Shaolin Temple’s 18 Brass Men, and a sprinkling of Chinese food puns like “brave through hot soup and fire”. The deus ex machina ending is slightly disappointing, but God of Cookery’s hilarious theatrics and characters more than make up for this.

The copyright of the article God of Cookery by Stephen Chow & Lee Lik-Chi in Asian Films is owned by Lynette S.K. Webster. Permission to republish God of Cookery by Stephen Chow & Lee Lik-Chi in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.