Our Trainer Spotlight series features fitness professionals we admire who make a dramatic difference in their client’s lives – and we are very excited to introduce Chef German Lam. Chef Lam is an award-winning chef and celebrated ‘food coach’ to many fitness enthusiasts. He is the founder and CEO of Glam Foods, LLC in Massachusetts. His unique combination of expertise in the culinary arts and nutrition create a one-of-a-kind experience for his clients.
“Nobody else does what I do,” explains Chef Lam. “My mission is to empower individuals to create a delicious, healthy lifestyle for themselves, their families and their friends. I have worked in five-star restaurants so I can show people how to plan, shop and prepare absolutely delicious healthy food. I don’t just offer a series of recipes, I offer a whole new way of thinking about food.”
Chef Lam graduated in 1986 from Newbury College with a degree in culinary arts and completed the prestigious American Culinary Federation Les Dames d’Escoffier apprenticeship program in 1990. He worked in 5-Star Boston and Cleveland Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Harvard Club of Boston and Chatham Bars Inn. Additionally, he was executive chef at Mirabelle Restaurant located on Boston’s trendy Newbury Street and the Needham Sheraton Hotel. He has also served as the Executive Sous Chef at Marias Restaurant and Chef de Cuisine at the Charles Hotel.
Chef Lam’s transition from Top Chef to food coach was a very personal journey inspired by his family. “When I had children I realized how important a healthy lifestyle is,” Lam says. “I want to be able to teach my family how to cook and eat well. Just like you want to raise children with discipline and structure – you should also give them the tools to prepare great food.”
Chef Lam passes this philosophy on to his clients. “Cooking forms a very personal connection with people. I encourage my clients to cook with their families and friends. You can take a dish from almost any cuisine and create a healthy version of that dish. That’s what people should share with each other.”
Many of Chef Lam’s clients are fitness enthusiasts and enjoy working out, but may not know as much about fueling their body with great food. He shows them how to control food just as they control their workout. Adding healthy clean eating to their training creates long-term results. “People are impatient and want a quick fix,” suggests Lam. “That’s not what I do. I encourage my clients to take a long view of this eating great food. Healthy cooking is just like exercise, it’s a skill that keeps you well. If you commit to it 100%, you’ll find you’ll be able to take any goal and dominate it!”
Chef Lam promotes “free style cooking,” which allows for improvisation and healthy meals even when there is little time to get dinner on the table. He shows people how to combine the luxury of the Ritz with the convenience of McDonald’s. “I tell my clients they can cook twice a week and be done,” continues Lam. “Once I have given them the confidence and skills they need to prepare healthy food, they see how easy it can be – and the results speak for themselves!”