Francis Lam

Francis Lam is an American food journalist, cookbook editor, and since 2017 the host of American Public Media's The Splendid Table.

Early life and education Lam was born to Chinese immigrant parents living in New Jersey and working in Manhattan's Chinatown, where they operated a small garment factory. His mother wanted him to go to business, dental, or medical school. He graduated first in his class

Career After graduating from Michigan, Lam moved back to New York and worked as a grant writer for non-profit organizations before attending CIA. and Bon Appétit and wrote a regular column, Eat, about immigrant cooking for New York Times Magazine.

In 2013 he became editor-at-large at Clarkson Potter, editing cookbooks. One of his first acquisitions was Victuals: An Appalachian Journey by Ronni Lundy. He also acquired Tacos: Recipes and Provocations by Alex Stupak and Jordana Rothman, Food of Northern Thailand by Austin Bush, The Jemima Code by Toni Tipton-Martin, Night + Market by Kris Yenbamroong, Chrissy Teigen's Cravings,

He was a contributor to and guest host for American Public Media’s The Splendid Table radio show from 2010 until being named in 2017 as the replacement for retiring host Lynne Rossetto Kasper. He served two seasons as a judge for Top Chef Masters. He is a board member for Southern Foodways Alliance.

Personal life Lam met his wife, Christine Gaspar, in Biloxi, Mississippi, while they were both working for organizations helping rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. 2017 James Beard Foundation Award forJournalism/Column for Eat in New York Times Magazine (two awards) 2016 James Beard Foundation Award forJournalism/Column for Eat in New York Times Magazine 2017 James Beard Award winner for both Best American Book and Book of the Year for Victuals: An Appalachian Journey by Ronni Lundy 2017 IACP for American Cookbook for Victuals: An Appalachian Journey by Ronni Lundy