When he finally decided to do it, Francis decided he would get three tattoos, one for each of the things most important in the world: food, art, and love.
"But what about politics? What about justice?" he later fretted.
His friend said, "My politics all come out of love."
And so he stuck to the three tattoo plan.
Before he was telling you about his tattoos, Francis worked with nonprofit organizations and taught writing and literature to students in the woods. He graduated from the University of Michigan and the Culinary Institute of
America, and makes the meanest ratatouille.
Francis Lam

Photograph by Kevin Demaria
Francis Lam on gourmet.com
food + cooking
Set it On Fire, Part Two
Cherries Jubilee was the most beautiful thing I’d ever made, and I was going to make my last one count.
09.29.09
- Keywords
- flambe,
- culinary school,
- culinary culture,
- cooking + technique,
- francis lam
food + cooking
Set it On Fire, Part One
Or, Fire is Totally So Hot: A lament for the lost art of the tableside flambé.
09.22.09
- Keywords
- culinary culture,
- restaurants,
- cooking + technique,
- francis lam
food + cooking
Street Food at Home
It started as a story about watching people cook, but it turned into a study in mentors and protégés.
09.15.09
- Keywords
- susan feniger,
- kajsa alger,
- los angeles,
- street food,
- francis lam
magazine
Sweet Life
Two L.A. chefs explore the world, street (food) by street (food), and put together one wild brunch.
October 2009
- Keywords
- magazine,
- sweeet life,
- francis lam,
- susan feniger,
- kajsa alger
food + cooking
I’m One of the Aces in the Business
Over and over, I would hear stories of Biloxi fishermen getting out of the water, doubtful of the future. But Frank Parker’s got no worries.
09.01.09
- Keywords
- fishing,
- biloxi,
- mississippi,
- southern u.s.,
- francis lam
food + cooking
Before the People and the Po’ Boys
Before I felt a Southern welcome, before meeting and eating with people filled with rich stories, all I knew of Biloxi was that it was a disaster.
08.25.09
- Keywords
- biloxi,
- mississippi,
- southern u.s.,
- culinary culture,
- francis lam
food + cooking
The Teacher and Her Cannoli
Good intentions and the memory of fantastic cannoli aren’t quite enough to get fans to sign up for Italian cooking classes.
08.18.09
- Keywords
- philadelphia,
- dessert,
- culinary culture,
- francis lam
travel + culture
Hallo Berlin! Thai Park Edition
Even in summer, you’re not going to confuse Berlin with Thailand. But maybe the Preuβenpark can give an approximation.
08.11.09
- Keywords
- berlin,
- thai food,
- culinary culture,
- chiles,
- francis lam
travel + culture
Hallo Berlin! Currywurst Edition
Anything that marries a German wurst with curry has to be awesome, right?
08.04.09
- Keywords
- berlin,
- germany,
- meat,
- culinary culture,
- francis lam
food + cooking
Cutting Room Floor: The Last Chinese BBQ Edition
There are many stories that didn’t find their way into the piece on Ho Ho BBQ in the August issue of the magazine. Here are a few of them.
07.28.09
- Keywords
- toronto,
- chinese,
- restaurants,
- barbecue,
- francis lam