Our celebration of food and culture is heating up, as May is the month we celebrate Asian Pacific American heritage. Asia is an exercise in diversity within itself, as it comprises the earth’s largest land mass and provides a home to more than 65 percent of the world’s population. Did you know that of the more than 6,800 languages in the world, 3,500 are spoken in the Asia-Pacific region?
With such a richness of ancient and modern cultures, including diverse languages, social traditions and customs, you can be certain that Asian cuisine is just as diverse. Chefs and foodies of fine Asian dining are already thinking about matsutakes, Japan's premier culinary mushroom. Although it is grown in China, Korea, and North America, it is a rare fungus, and the Japanese variety is considered to be the best! Read more about how matsutakes are grown and why chef's eagerly anticipate the annual harvest.
In this edition of Unity, read about featured Chef Uzma Sharif who is known for her delicious hand-crafted and hand-painted chocolates which are packaged in handmade boxes that are often saved as keepsakes. Her business, Love in Disguise Chocolate, is well known among Chocolatiers in Chicago and internet shoppers. Learn more about Chef Sharif and her her delicious Honey Ganache recipe!
This month's edition of Unity also takes an interesting look at Norfolk State University's Double Exposure Visual Arts Initiative. One way to learn and experience the visual arts at NSU is to visit The Wise Gallery. The Wise Gallery is used primarily for faculty exhibitions, undergraduate shows, graduate student thesis exhibitions, and regional art exhibitions. Like the Wise Gallery, The Harrison B. Wilson Archives and Gallery exhibits a collection of art including West African art, as well as collecting and preserving records of the experiences of African Americans in Virginia. View the featured art in this edition and learn more about the artists.
Finally, this edition highlights two Asian Pacific Americans who are awe-inspiring. First, Agnes Chan, an accomplished best-selling artist and writer, is most proud of her work as an advocate for impoverished children. Learn how Agnes's life work is making a difference. Second, meet Jake Shimabukuro and learn about his music talent and mission, to show everyone that the ukelele is capable of much more than traditional Hawaiian music.
Unity is also a celebration of art, as fine art provides a personal and visual expression of our valuable cultural differences. We’re sure you’ll enjoy this collection of works from Picture-That LLC!
Get your copy of Unity at the nearest Thompson dining facility, or download an electronic version. You can also enjoy recipies, explore additional stories, discover additional facts, and read our back issues of Unity by selecting the links on the right and below.
We welcome your feedback and comments regarding our diversity program and publications. Email diversity@thompsonhospitality.com.
