Stephen Yan Returns with Retro T-Shirts Inspired by ‘Wok With Yan’

It’s been nearly 30 years since ‘Wok With Yan‘ last graced our screens, but now, the beloved chef Stephen Yan is making a comeback. The Hong Kong-born chef who taught us all about Cantonese cooking is teaming up with the Toronto-based clothing brand Retrokid to launch a new line of retro t-shirts.

For those who might not remember, ‘Wok With Yan’ aired on CBC from 1980 to 1995 and featured Stephen cooking traditional dishes while delighting us with his playful puns. Now at 85 years old, Stephen is excited to reconnect with fans through this fresh merch collection, which will drop on August 15.

Joining forces with Retrokid co-founder Steve Gaskin, the duo recently sat down to discuss the fascinating journey that led Stephen from street food in Hong Kong to becoming a household name in Canada. He shared stories of his early days, including cooking since he was just a child, learning the ropes of the kitchen and even winning competitions.

Interestingly, before hitting the big time with his show, Stephen was busy doing cooking demos in a quiet Vancouver mall. It was during these demos that a talent scout discovered him, and the rest is history. But after the show ended, fans wondered what had happened to Stephen.

For three decades, Stephen took a backseat from the world of TV. He dedicated his life to helping the less fortunate, volunteering in orphanages and schools in Thailand and China. He also became an accomplished marathon runner, even having run the Boston Marathon four times and climbed Mount Everest.

Steve Gaskin, who spent over six years trying to track Stephen down, expressed how Stephen’s show bridged cultural gaps and connected generations. Despite ‘Wok With Yan’ being off the air for so long, the memories it created left a significant mark on those who grew up watching it.

The retro t-shirts will be available for purchase starting August 15 at 9 p.m. EST through the Retrokid online store. So get ready to celebrate Stephen Yan’s legacy with a piece of nostalgia!