Honoring Asian-American Chefs Revolutionizing Restaurants and Empowering Communities
- What's sushi's favorite movie genre? Raw-mance.
- Why did the bao take a break? It was feeling a little steamed.
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, today we're spotlighting three extraordinary Asian-American chefs who are transforming the restaurant industry and making a positive impact in their communities.
Melissa Miranda is an acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and community leader. After attending culinary school in Italy and working in kitchens around the globe, Miranda returned to her roots in Seattle to embark on an impactful culinary journey. With friends, she launched No Cookbooks Allowed—a series of family-style pop-up dinners celebrating the diverse home cooking of Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese communities, among others. The concept paved the way for Musang, Miranda's wildly popular restaurant, which pays homage to her Filipino heritage.
In addition to being known as an excellent chef, Miranda has made a name for herself by challenging industry norms and reimagining what a restaurant can be. She feels strongly that these spaces hold transformative power as vital community hubs built on mutual respect and empowerment. A proof of concept is Musang itself, where employees are paid a livable wage with benefits instead of tips. To learn more about Melissa's inspiring work, watch her TED Talk.
Irene Li is a Chinese American chef, cookbook author, and visionary based in Boston, Massachusetts. She co-founded Mei Mei, a family-owned restaurant-turned-dumpling company focusing on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Known for her innovative and socially responsible approach to food, Li is a resolute advocate for food equity and workers' rights, using her platform to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. In 2020, she co-founded Project Restore Us, an initiative dedicated to supporting working immigrant families by channeling funds to restaurants for packaging and delivering nutritious, affordable, and culturally relevant groceries. Irene Li made history in 2022 by becoming the youngest person to win a James Beard Leadership Award. You can learn more about Irene Li here. And be sure to check out the cookbooks she co-wrote with her siblings: Double Awesome Chinese Food, and the forthcoming Perfectly Good Food!
Robynne Mai’i is a Native Hawaiian chef and restaurateur based in Honolulu. Along with her husband, she co-owns Fête, a neighborhood restaurant known for its seasonally inspired, locally sourced menu that reflects the rich cultural diversity of Hawai‘i. In 2022, Maii became the first woman of Hawaiian ancestry to win a James Beard Award. Beyond her culinary talent, she is recognized for cultivating a respectful, supportive kitchen culture where staff’s well-being and professional growth are priorities. At Fête, Mai’i champions fair labor practices—offering health insurance, paid vacation, and professional mentorship to all staff—showing that a successful restaurant can also be a deeply human one. Mai’I’s leadership and commitment to community have made her a standout figure in the Pacific culinary world – learn more about her here.
This AAPI Heritage Month, we celebrate these chefs not only for what they cook—but for the community, creativity, and compassion they bring to the table.
If you’re looking for family-friendly, Asian-inspired recipes to make at home this month, check out Sticky Fingers Cooking online recipes and use the filters to search by geographic location, ingredient, keywords, and more. While you’re there, take a look around! In addition to recipes, you’ll find a wealth of tips, techniques, and fascinating information to enhance kids’ cooking skills and nurture their love of cooking!
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