About me

Hi! I'm Charmaine, but everyone calls me Char.

I'm a Malaysian-Chinese home cook on a mission to make Asian cooking approachable for every home kitchen, wherever you are in the world.

My Cooking Journey

I am not a professional chef. I don't have a culinary degree or formal training. What I do have is years of watching my Mum and my grandmother cook in our Malaysian-Chinese kitchen. And when I moved to the United States, I spent the next two decades teaching myself how to replicate the flavors I missed.

I’ve made every mistake you can imagine in the kitchen, and I’ve learned from all of them. This is where Wok & Skillet® began. 

And Then...

Since then, I've published a cookbook, been featured on sites like BuzzFeed, Women's Health, The Pioneer Woman, and Taste of Home, and been invited to discuss authentic Chinese cuisine on CGTN America! 

This little space has been my creative outlet for over a decade now, and it still brings me so much joy to share these recipes with home cooks all around the world!

Why You Can Trust These Recipes

Every recipe on this blog has been thoroughly tested in my home kitchen. I also run Wok & Skillet alongside a full-time career in our family’s construction business, so I know what it means to need dinner on the table without a lot of fuss.

My goal with Wok & Skillet is to simplify Asian cooking so that anyone can make it at home. I know first-hand what it's like to crave a dish while thousands of miles away from home, and not know where to start.

Every recipe comes with detailed step-by-step instructions and photos, because I want the process to feel approachable. 

A Little About Me...

I live on the beautiful island of Penang, Malaysia, with my husband David and our two sons, Jayden and Brennan, my most honest recipe critics.

My family returned to Penang in 2015 after I spent 15 years in the Pacific Northwest, and coming home only deepened my love for the food I grew up enjoying.

Living in the melting pot of Asia means I get to learn about and experience authentic Asian flavors firsthand, and share them with you!

I'm also the proud dog mom of Daisy, our Shiba Inu, who is convinced that every meal I cook is for her.

When I'm not in the kitchen, you'll find me out on a run. I'm slowly working my way toward a half-marathon (and perhaps a full marathon at some point in the future if I'm feeling brave enough!). Why do I love to run? Because I really, really love food. I have a serious weakness for french fries...and chocolate.

Some Fun Facts: I grew up playing the violin and singing in choirs. I've also always had a passion for photography. Back in high school, I was already shooting class photos and school events. Finding food blogging felt like discovering the perfect creative outlet, bringing together three of my favorite things: cooking, photography and writing.

It really means the world to me when readers take the time to tell me they've made one of my recipes, so don't be a stranger! If you have questions, want to collaborate, or just want to say hello, you can reach me at char@wokandskillet.com. You can also DM me on Instagram or Facebook.

Thanks again for dropping by! I hope you enjoy exploring these recipes as much as I have enjoyed putting them together. Happy cooking!

Love,