Core Insights - The article discusses the rise of male celebrities in China who have built successful personas around cooking, highlighting how this trend has become a viable career path for them [3][24]. Group 1: Celebrity Cooking Personas - Liu Yiwei is recognized as the first celebrity in China to gain fame through cooking, hosting the show "天天饮食" which attracted 5 million viewers daily [3][5]. - The cooking persona of Liu Yiwei paved the way for other celebrities, establishing a trend of portraying men as good husbands and fathers who can cook [4][5]. - Lin Yilun, another host from "天天饮食," leveraged his cooking skills to create a personal brand and business, including a chili sauce brand [7][8]. Group 2: Impact of Reality Shows - The reality show "爸爸去哪儿" (Where Are We Going, Dad?) helped Zhang Liang gain significant popularity due to his cooking skills, which became a memorable aspect of his persona [9][10]. - Huang Lei transitioned from a literary image to a caring father figure through cooking on the same show, leading to the launch of his cooking brand "黄小厨" [12][14]. - Huang Lei's involvement in various successful dramas and shows has solidified his image as a family-oriented figure, further enhancing his brand [14]. Group 3: Business Ventures and Success -谢霆锋's cooking persona began with "十二道锋味" (12 Flavors of Chef) in 2014, where he established himself as a chef and created a strong brand around his cooking [15][19]. - The launch of his food company, "锋味派," has seen significant success, with sales of his signature product, a gourmet sausage, reaching 1.5 billion yuan [21][22]. -谢霆锋's strategic partnerships, particularly with Alibaba, have allowed him to expand his brand and product offerings effectively [19][20]. Group 4: Industry Trends - The trend of male celebrities adopting cooking personas is largely driven by the need for career transformation as they age, allowing them to maintain relevance in the entertainment industry [25][26]. - The low barrier to entry in the food industry, combined with the universal appeal of cooking, makes it an attractive avenue for celebrities seeking to diversify their careers [28][29]. - The phenomenon reflects a broader trend where celebrities explore various business ventures, including live streaming and entrepreneurship, to sustain their careers [32].