What does a person’s first taste of a new culture have to do with who they eventually become? For actor and writer Gavin Yap, the answer can be found in the food that has accompanied him through nearly four decades of life.

In Fork It: One Man’s Journey Through Food & Memories, Yap takes to the stage for a solo semi-autobiographical performance exploring childhood, mixed identity, family, career and belonging, with each chapter of his story tied to a different dish.

Born in London and brought to Malaysia at the age of five in the early 1980s, Yap recalls his first encounters with Malaysian food culture, including a formative kopitiam breakfast. From there, the performance follows his experiences growing up as a mixed-race child, discovering acting and developing his ability to create characters through his voice.

His memories also touch on more difficult aspects of family life, including resentment, anger and alcoholism, as he gradually comes to terms with his identity and his place in Malaysia.

Food provides the thread connecting these experiences, offering a way to revisit both the ordinary and more complicated moments of his life. The result is intended to balance humour with more personal reflections on family and belonging.

Written by Gavin Yap and Honey Ahmad, Fork It runs for 75 minutes without an interval and will be staged at the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre (JCPAC) from 11 to 13 September 2026.

Performances are scheduled at 8.30pm, with a 3pm show also available. Doors open 15 minutes before each performance, with a smart-casual dress code.

Tickets are available through CloudJoi.