You! Take Action
Photo: @bakersagainstracism
Here is what is so amazing about the DC restaurant and hospitality community: They are still knee-deep in the financial straits of this pandemic and yet the time is given and the food is made to raise funds for incredibly important causes:
Bakers Against Racism
Hatred against the AAPI community has been on the rise lately. Bakers Against Racism have decided to use their platform to support this community. They are partnering with a local baker, Erica Truong, for the fourth activation of Bakers Against Racism - a worldwide bake sale organization that has raised over $2 million for social justice causes. The proceeds will be donated to Asian Hall of Fame. A variety of baked goods made by Sweet Harmony (founded by Erica) will be available for pre-order until May 23rd at 5:00 p.m. Erica has created some unique Asian-inspired flavors just for this bake sale, like Yuzu Lychee cupcakes and Vietnamese coffee macarons. These baked goods will be available for pick-up between May 28th and May 30th during business hours. When placing your order, you'll be able to select a pick-up date. You'll receive an email confirmation after placing an order. cookeryshops.com/collections/bakers-against-racism
Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate
This take out dinner series started by Kevin Tien, along with 45 other chefs, intends to raise funds through take out meals and dining experiences to donate to Stop AAPI Hate, while raising awareness through collaborative meal offerings and dining experiences by local DMV chefs. Hate against Asian American Pacific Islander communities has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic, and together, The DC culinary community and its patrons can help stop it. Each ticket/meal sold buys a 5-course to go meal for two people, with proceeds going to Stop AAPI Hate. For more information on these weekly dinners, click here.
Empowering the Diner
Empowering the Diner is a Black women-led food and beverage event centered on collaboration and inclusion in which they bring folx together to discuss, learn, and explore their palate and dining experiences. Empowering the Diner seeks to dismantle colonizer-led perspectives and gatekeeping practices by challenging the status quo through creative, multi-faceted, and BIPOC-led educational and hospitable experiences. The first educational experience will be: Empowering The Diner Through Wine. This will be offered on a virtual platform called Hopin. Empowering the Diner Through Wine will be a four-week experience. This offering will be conducted in four sessions. Each session will include one full bottle of wine, a pairing BIPOC chef's recipe, and feature educational dialogue with a BIPOC wine professional. The first session will take place Friday, May 21st. $55 for this session only, or $110 for an all-access pass to all four sessions ($80 for BIPOC). empoweringthediner.com
Habibi Sofra Club
Chef Michael Rafidi, owner of Albi and Yellow in The Yards, offers a monthly guest chef dinner series in support of EmbraceRace. The Habibi Sofra Club dinners will feature a collaborative tasting menu prepared alongside Rafidi and served during dinner at Albi. Participating chefs will design a special pita sandwich for Yellow and partner with Rafidi for a one-night-only Sofra tasting menu at Albi. For each dinner, wine director William Simons and the beverage team at Albi will curate a unique offering of wines and cocktails designed to complement the visiting chef’s culinary style, while staying true to the character and irreverence of the restaurant’s noteworthy beverage program. Chefs in the series lineup include Michael Solomonov, Zahav (Philadelphia) - June 13 (tickets on sale June 1); Danny Lee, Anju, Chiko, and Mandu (Washington, D.C.) - July 11 (tickets on sale June 29); Michael Mina, The Mina Group (San Francisco) - August 15 (tickets on sale August 3). A portion of proceeds from the series will support EmbraceRace, an organization dedicated to helping parents raise children who are brave, informed, and thoughtful about race. Tickets are on sale for $150 per person. 1346 4th Street SE; albidc.com/habibi-sofra-club
