Meet Syi Lwin

We recently connected with Syi Lwin and have shared our conversation below.

Syi , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I believe confidence is something that continues to grow. I still challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone and keep learning, which helps me maintain and strengthen my self-esteem.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a celebrity television chef (Myanmar) cookbook author, and food stylist with a deep passion for creating dishes that are both inspired by tradition and infused with new flavors. My culinary journey began in my grandmother’s kitchen at just 9 years old, and it’s her influence that shaped my love for cooking and the joy of bringing people together around food. Since then, I’ve had the honor of sharing my recipes and ideas across various media, from TV shows to cookbooks, where I aim to make cooking more accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for everyone.
What excites me most is working with unique, local ingredients and showing people how versatile they can be. Collaborating with both international and local brands gives me the opportunity to highlight the diversity of flavors from Myanmar and around the world. I had also work with many international and local (Myanmar) brands Potato USA (USDA), Blueberries USA (USDA), USDA products (Agriculture Department US Embassy in Myanmar), IMPACT Food Products & Distributing Company, MDG Distributing Company, Knorr, Carrefour, Aroy-D Coconut Milk, YumYum & ShinShin Instant Noodle, Ayetharyar Vineard Estate Wine, Meizan Oil, Gold Australia Canola Oil, COOK Oil, Pure Oil (Turkey), ACECOOK instant noodle, Dutch Mill Thailand, Tea Pot Thailand, Sunsauce Thailand, Sunkist, Pepsi, Yoma Fleet, The Pizza Company, Authentic Myanmar Tea and many others, developing new recipes that celebrate wholesome, quality ingredients in fun and creative ways. I also get to work with incredible brands like Hitachi, Sharp, and Midea to showcase innovative kitchen appliances and ingredients that make home cooking easy, nutritious, and exciting.
I’ve also had the honor of being a brand ambassador for Knorr and Gold Australia Canola Oil, which has been an incredible opportunity to showcase products that align with my commitment to quality and flavor. Representing these brands allows me to share my passion for creating delicious, accessible dishes with a wider audience.
In the future (in US), I look forward to collaborating with organizations leading the way in food technology and innovation. Partnering with such pioneers would allow us to push culinary boundaries, exploring creative solutions and inspiring new approaches to how we enjoy and think about food.
I’m also planning community-based events and cooking workshops, where we’ll focus on nutrition, quick meal solutions, and food styling tips.
I’ve published 13 cookbooks, the latest being Myanmar Dessert, a bilingual celebration of Myanmar’s sweet traditions. It’s available in all Queens Library systems, and I had the privilege of presenting it at Woodside Library and Elmhurst Library Queens. Looking forward to presenting in New York Library too next year.
In New York or anywhere in US, I’m excited and ready to return to social media—and, hopefully, even a food network TV channel—where I can share my unique fusion recipes and cooking techniques with everyone. I can’t wait to inspire others to explore new flavors and show how I blend my favorite culinary traditions into fresh, creative dishes.
For me, my brand is all about bridging cultures, sharing joy, and creating accessible recipes. Whether I’m styling food for a commercial, sharing a recipe on TV, or developing new dishes for a brand, my goal is always the same: to bring warmth, inspiration, and connection through food. And, as always, I’m sending out a warm smile and hug to everyone who’s joined me on this journey!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Creative Culinary Innovation: I have a talent for crafting unique fusion recipes that bring together traditional flavors with modern techniques, making my dishes both original and accessible.
Expert Food Styling and Presentation: My work as a food stylist for brands like Knorr and in TV programs reflects my eyes for detail, ensuring that every dish not only tastes great but also looks visually captivating.
Community-Centered Inspiration: Through my workshops, TV programs, and community events, I had inspire and educate others, sharing my culinary skills in a way that makes cooking enjoyable and approachable for all.

Recipe Development and Fusion Cooking: I created innovative recipes, especially fusion dishes that blend flavors and techniques from different culinary traditions, making them accessible and appealing to a wide audience.
Food Styling and Presentation: With extensive experience styling food for TV, advertisements, and packaging, I have an eye for detail, ensuring each dish looks as enticing as it tastes.
Public Engagement and Culinary Education: Through hosting TV programs, leading workshops, and collaborating with brands, I connect with audiences and convey culinary techniques in an engaging, educational, and inspiring way.

For anyone starting out, focus on learning the basics—master foundational recipes from various cuisines, practice plating to improve your food styling, and share your cooking journey on social media or with friends to build confidence. Experiment gradually, adding new ingredients or techniques to develop a unique style. Document what you learn along the way, and be open to feedback. Consistency and curiosity are key; with patience and regular practice, your skills and confidence will grow, helping you connect with others through your love of food.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I’m always open to collaborating with others who share a passion for culinary innovation and creativity. I’m particularly interested in partnering with brands, organizations, or individuals who are focused on quality ingredients, food styling, and exploring new ways to bring unique flavors to life. I’m also interested in working with those who value creativity and authenticity, whether they’re focused on product development, food technology, or community-centered projects.If you’re excited about food and want to create something meaningful together, I’d love to connect! Feel free to reach out through my social media or professional contacts. Let’s bring our ideas and expertise together to make something extraordinary!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

credits to Syi Lwin photographer – Khinmaunglatt Silverimage, Pyae Sone, Betterday Media
credits to Syi Lwin make-up artists – Khin Khin Beauty Saloon (Myanmar), Linn Latt (Hair & Beauty), Kim HoJu
credits to Syi Lwin designers – Kim HoJu fashion & style

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