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What's cooking? Luke Nguyen (sitting) and an Australian film crew film in the northern province of Ninh Binh. — Courtesy Photo |
HA NOI —Each 45-minute episode will be broadcast in prime time on Australia's Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) and the Travel and Living and Discovery channels from October.
Vietnamese dishes are too plentiful, said director Michael Francis Donnelly.
"I've tried many Vietnamese dishes at Luke's restaurants and some other restaurants in Australia. The food is delicious, nutritious and tasty. But Vietnamese cuisine is even more abundant in Viet Nam, much more than what I saw or enjoyed in Australia."
"I'm surprised by the varied and mobile forms of food business in Viet Nam," he says. "The processing methods are sometimes so simple. The prices are cheap but the food is fresh and nutritious."
During his trips to Viet Nam, Donnelly learnt one thing: Fresh food is never lacking in Vietnamese kitchens, while it is difficult to find in Western kitchens.
"I have shot many films about food," he says, "I believe that the audience will feel as interested as we do."
"Not only food, but also beautiful landscapes and friendly people will surprise them. As far as Luke is concerned, I believe that he will become a ‘TV star' in food after this programme."
Nguyen and his film crew will not only focus on Viet Nam's food but the country's culture and lifestyle, visiting bustling local markets and street vendors.
On this trip, they travelled to eight provinces and cities in the north of Viet Nam to make the series. The important thing they focused on was the way the Vietnamese cook and stories behind the dishes, not just the recipes.
They shot memorable scenes of a woman selling pho (noodle soup) early in the morning which she prepared in her small shop, Donnelly shared.
"In Australia, people are familiar with Chinese and Thai food," Nguyen said. "I want people to get to know Vietnamese food through this show. I want them to know that Viet Nam has good food, good people and beautiful scenery. The biggest goal in my life is to prove to the world that Vietnamese food is the best!"
Last year, the Australian film crew shot 10 episodes of a series entitled Luke Nguyen's Viet Nam in HCM City, which focused on local specialities in central and southern Viet Nam.
In 2002, Nguyen and his sister opened their first restaurant, the Red Lantern Restaurant, in Sydney's Surry Hills, serving Vietnamese food.
Red Lantern soon won critical acclaim and a number of awards including the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association of Australia's Best Restaurant awards in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
When the first series aired, many Australian got to know Vietnamese food and told Donnelly that they wanted to visit Viet Nam to enjoy the pure cuisine. He is proud that the series won audience's hearts and they were successful, even though they didn't prepare scripts. They filmed everything that inspired them. — VNS