A Taste of Asia: A Culinary Journey With Local AAPI Celebrity Chefs

This year, we were beyond excited to host our very first Taste of Asia event—an unforgettable evening that brought together over 330 guests in a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and incredible cuisine. The night was a feast for the senses, featuring a spectacular lineup of chefs from some of the region’s most beloved local restaurants. We had some of the best local AAPI chefs join us including Chefs Seng Luangrath of Thip Khao, Peter Chang of Peter Chang, Patrice Cleary of Purple Patch, Chico Dator of Modan, Katsuya Fukushima of Daikaya, Simon Lam of Tiger Fork, Tim Ma of Any Day Now, Rosie Nguyen of Rose Ave Bakery, Caroline Ta of Sweets by Caroline, Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit, and Rahul Vinod of RASA. Every bite was a celebration of Asian culinary excellence! Guests savored everything from mango sticky rice tarts to creamy tomato soup and exquisite sushi rolls—each dish telling its own delicious story.

Beyond the incredible food, Taste of Asia was a beautiful reminder of the shared mission and accomplishments we’ve achieved at AALEAD for our youth. The evening was filled with inspiring moments, including a heartfelt spotlight on a mentor, mentee, and parent whose journey uplifted and motivated our entire community. From start to finish, the event was a joyous reflection of connection, culture, and commitment—leaving everyone recharged and excited to continue supporting our mission together. We are so grateful to everyone who joined us and can’t wait to make the next event even bigger and better!