The Stew of Life
The Stew of Life (Traditional Chinese: 有營煮婦; Jyutping: Yau Ying Ju Fu) is a 30-episode Hong Kong television drama produced by TVB. Directed by Amy Wong Sun Wai and written by Leung Man Wah and Wong Yuk Tak, the series originally aired in Cantonese from September 7, 2009, to October 18, 2009, broadcasting Monday through Friday in the 21:30 to 22:30 time slot, succeeding the drama You're Hired.
Plot
The story centers on cookery teacher Lo Siu Lai (Louise Lee), who returns from a trip with her husband Ng Man Tak (Chung King Fai). Upon her return, she discovers that her daughter Ng Choi Nei (Fala Chen) has started cohabitating with a colleague, Lau Tak Yan (Hung Tin Ming), while her divorced sister Lo Siu Mei (Christine Ng) navigates a complicated dynamic involving her tenant Yau Kai (Evergreen Mak) and her ex-husband. Concurrently, Man Tak faces early retirement, leaving him at home throughout the day. Meanwhile, Siu Lai secures an opportunity to host a television culinary show. Despite various household tensions and bickering, Siu Lai approaches these challenges with dedication.
Cast
- Chung King Fai as Ng Man Tak
- Louise Lee as Lo Siu Lai
- Fala Chen as Ng Choi Nei
- Christine Ng as Lo Siu Mei
- Timmy Hung as Lau Tak Yan
- Evergreen Mak as Yau Kai
- Johnson Lee as Lee Sing Kei
- Yvonne Ho as Yau Yee
- Ken Wong as Ma Cho Tik
- Gill Mohindepaul Singh as Ha Lei Man
- Stephen Huynh as Nam Tin Cheung
Viewership Ratings
| Week | Episodes | Average Points | Peaking Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 7 – September 11, 2009 | 1 — 5 | 30 | 34 |
| September 14 – September 18, 2009 | 6 — 10 | 31 | 38 |
| September 21 – September 25, 2009 | 11 — 15 | 28 | — |
| September 28 – October 2, 2009 | 16 — 20 | 28 | 31 |
| October 5 – October 9, 2009 | 21 — 25 | 30 | 33 |
| October 12 – October 16, 2009 | 26 — 29 | 32 | 36 |
| October 18, 2009 | 30 | 29 | 31 |