The generosity of donors – supporting OCC scholarships

Focus on Claire Enders – donor to the Yan-Kit So Memorial Award for Food writers on Asia

 

Donors to OCC scholarships have a range of motives. For Claire Enders, it is about maintaining the legacy of her close friend Yan-Kit So (1933-2001), one of Britain’s leading authorities on Chinese cuisine and culture.

Claire Enders is the founder of Enders Analysis, the UK’s leading technology and media research company. Enders Analysis provides analysis and associated specialist expertise on major markets  to over 160 member companies, regulators and industry trade bodies. Claire appears regularly on television and radio, commenting on contemporary issues in the media landscape.

Claire and Yan-Kit had a family connection through marriage, and they became close friends, travelling together, sharing their love of the arts and creating memories over food and conversation. Claire describes Yan-Kit’s professional contribution as, “…a great journey to transform Western prejudices about Chinese cooking.” She had deep admiration for the rigour of Yan-Kit’s approach. As she notes: “Yan-Kit’s publisher agreed to a most ambitious work that would explore the history of Chinese imperial cuisine. She travelled repeatedly to China to sample cuisines and study ingredients. She did extraordinary amounts of original research. The result was a monumental work of extraordinary and lasting erudition.”

It is clear why Claire has chosen to provide such valuable support to the OCC Trust; “I am delighted that the award created in Yan-Kit’s name recognises scholars of food and cookery, for she was amongst the first to be one.”

 

The OCC Trustees are keen to connect with others who may wish to support OCC scholarships and awards – either those already established, or ones that extend our reach and impact.

To discuss your involvement as a prospective donor, contact Chair of trustees Ben McEwen (occ@oxfordculturalcollective.com).