Eight Immortal Flavors- Signed by Johnny Kan
Eight Immortal Flavors- Signed by Johnny Kan
$250.00
Eight Immortal Flavors- Signed by Johnny Kan to the Brennans
From the hands of one restaurant dynasty to another. Signed by author Johnny Kan to New Orleans culinary legends Ted and Ellen Brennan.
Kan, an American born Chinese restauranteur, grew up in Portland with James Beard. After distinguishing himself as a marketing genius, he went on to open the Cathay House, a gateway for the flavors and drama of Chinese cooking.
Kan distinguished himself from the beginning. Working behind the counter at a small grocery store named Sam Hing, Kan convinced his boss to add "Wholesale Peanuts" to the signage. His boss relented only after docking his pay for the cost of the sign.
Kan's initiative, combined with the ad he took out in 'Variety' attracted the attention of Barnum and Bailey. A rep stopped by for a peanut sample and Kan landed the contract to supply all the nuts to the circus. The first order was for two tons of peanuts!
Wherever Kan went, innovation followed. In his next business venture at Fong Fong Bakery, Kan sold exotic flavors such as lichee, ginger and Chinese fruit from a long stainless counter. The novelty flavors attracted lines of college students from the University of Berkley and introduced niche ice cream to the adventurous West Coast gourmands.
In the 1940's, Kan opened the Cathay restaurant, on Grant street, to a revolving door of celebrities and San Francisco scenesters. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Kan voluntarily enlisted, earning the Silver Wreath, the highest honor in marksmanship. His final years were spent operating a restaurant of his own without the tiresome oversight of partners. His Peking duck took a day to prepare and was rumored to be based on the original Imperial Palace recipe.
"Johnny" Kan as he was known to his friends, signed this book two years before his passing. He died at 66, a consummate salesman to the end. He slipped from this world while taking visits from friends who thought he had just regained the bounce in his step and he would be getting out any day now.
See our other listings for more vintage kitchen barware and cookware! Or visit our shop in beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana! Seasoned Cookware!
From the hands of one restaurant dynasty to another. Signed by author Johnny Kan to New Orleans culinary legends Ted and Ellen Brennan.
Kan, an American born Chinese restauranteur, grew up in Portland with James Beard. After distinguishing himself as a marketing genius, he went on to open the Cathay House, a gateway for the flavors and drama of Chinese cooking.
Kan distinguished himself from the beginning. Working behind the counter at a small grocery store named Sam Hing, Kan convinced his boss to add "Wholesale Peanuts" to the signage. His boss relented only after docking his pay for the cost of the sign.
Kan's initiative, combined with the ad he took out in 'Variety' attracted the attention of Barnum and Bailey. A rep stopped by for a peanut sample and Kan landed the contract to supply all the nuts to the circus. The first order was for two tons of peanuts!
Wherever Kan went, innovation followed. In his next business venture at Fong Fong Bakery, Kan sold exotic flavors such as lichee, ginger and Chinese fruit from a long stainless counter. The novelty flavors attracted lines of college students from the University of Berkley and introduced niche ice cream to the adventurous West Coast gourmands.
In the 1940's, Kan opened the Cathay restaurant, on Grant street, to a revolving door of celebrities and San Francisco scenesters. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Kan voluntarily enlisted, earning the Silver Wreath, the highest honor in marksmanship. His final years were spent operating a restaurant of his own without the tiresome oversight of partners. His Peking duck took a day to prepare and was rumored to be based on the original Imperial Palace recipe.
"Johnny" Kan as he was known to his friends, signed this book two years before his passing. He died at 66, a consummate salesman to the end. He slipped from this world while taking visits from friends who thought he had just regained the bounce in his step and he would be getting out any day now.
See our other listings for more vintage kitchen barware and cookware! Or visit our shop in beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana! Seasoned Cookware!