Former Civic Party legislator in Hong Kong, Chen Shuzhuang, immigrated to Taiwan three years ago and has been living a very low-key life, staying out of the public eye. On the evening of September 27, she made her first appearance on social media, revealing that she has become the head chef at the “Red Cotton” restaurant located in the Songshan district of Taipei.
In her post, she mentioned that as a lawyer and legislator in Hong Kong, she didn’t have time to cook and often enjoyed the “private dishes” of Ye Yinan, the person in charge of the Hong Kong Grand Mansion. Now, being away from Hong Kong and living alone, she misses the taste of Hong Kong the most.
Chen Shuzhuang said, “Being able to become a chef is an incredible miracle.” She shared her journey of learning to cook, which began when she contacted Mrs. Ye, expressing her nostalgia for the flavors of her hometown. Mrs. Ye encouraged her, saying, “You have been in our kitchen for so many years, it’s time for you to get your hands dirty. With a heart and passion for food, willingness to work hard, anyone can become a chef.” Encouraged by this, she fearlessly persevered and, three years later, finally put on her first chef’s uniform, marking the birth of “Red Cotton.”
Reporter Lu Zhuling shared that she had seen the dishes Chen Shuzhuang was learning, which were not ordinary home-cooked meals but the classic Cantonese dishes of the Grand Mansion, such as stinky tofu stuffed with salted fish, fried shiitake mushrooms, and pork jelly. During the pandemic, only video teaching was possible, with Chen recording the process of cutting the pork jelly with a knife for Ye Yinan to judge its texture by the sound of the knife. Lu Zhuling revealed that during her time in Hong Kong, Chen had only cooked once in the kitchen making “boiled watercress.” After coming to Taiwan, her activities shifted from organizing legal documents or meeting records to filling recipes and sauce formulas, even creating diagrams of how to present a sliced chicken.
Chen Shuzhuang’s childhood involved her mother teaching her the value of “strength.” Her parents separated when she was only 7 months old, witnessing her mother working multiple jobs, including at a shop counter, as a tailor, and in various businesses, to raise her. Though she initially wanted to study political science, her mother thought her personality suited the study of law, leading her to enter the Law Faculty of the University of Hong Kong, eventually earning a master’s degree in law. After graduating, she worked in investment banking and became a practicing barrister. Her diverse interests led her to participate in the Miss Hong Kong Pageant and perform in theatrical plays like “Eastern Palace, Western Palace,” where she met and befriended former Civic Party leader and chairman, Hong Kong legislator, and former chair of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Yu Ruowei, setting her on the path of politics.
One of the most well-known events involving Chen Shuzhuang was in June 2019 when, serving as a Civic Party legislator in Hong Kong, she was sentenced to 8 months in prison for her involvement in the “Occupy Central Nine” case from 2014. Diagnosed with a brain tumor at the time, she faced the edge of life and death. Considering her health after brain surgery, the court granted her a 2-year probation. In September 2020, citing personal health and family issues, she declined to seek re-election as a legislator and left the Civic Party, formally retiring from politics and relocating to Taiwan in mid-2021.
For Chen Shuzhuang, who has weathered the storms of life, survived the “brain tumor” near-death experience, and avoided the tragedy of imprisonment, learning culinary arts and turning a new page in life is no easy feat.
This issue of “Drifting Legends” is available for online viewing.
From a fishing village to a metropolis, Hong Kong hides exceptional talents. Some say Hong Kong is a paradise for adventurers and a harbor for the wise and diligent. The civility, courage, and integrity of the people of Hong Kong have shown immense tolerance and compassion in critical moments. “Hong Kongers” have come to represent a spirit that continues to shine brightly no matter where in the world they may be. There are also unique individuals connected to Hong Kong who add color to its culture and spirit. Witness in the brand-new program “Drifting Legends,” the stories of prominent and ordinary individuals each sharing their legendary life experiences.
– Production Team of “Drifting Legends”