Chinatown Library, San Francisco, Jan. 22, 2011
Book Talk on Sweet and Sour: Life in Chinese Family Restaurants at the Him Mark Lai Chinatown, S. F. library.
Main Library, San Francisco, Jan. 23, 2011
Book Talk on Sweet and Sour: Life in Chinese Family Restaurants at the Main Library, San Francisco Civic Center
Berkeley Chinese Community Church, Jan 25, 2011
Book Talk on Sweet and Sour: Life in Chinese Family Restaurants at the Berkeley Chinese Community Church.
Sweet and Sour, Foster City Library, April 9, 2011
A return invitation to speak about "Sweet and Sour" at the Foster City library, accompanied by artist Flo Oy Wong, a contributor to the book about her experiences growing up and working in the family restaurant, Ai Joong Wah, in the heart of Oakland Chinatown.
Culinary Historians of Northern Calif. @ Omnivore Books, San Francisco, June 9, 2011
It was a special treat, and challenge, to discuss the history of Chinese restaurants with a 'foodie' audience at a wonderful 'foodie' bookstore rather than a predominantly Chinese audience.
One surprise was the unannounced appearance of my good friends, Joe and Liz Chan, each of whom have contributed valuable narratives to my books, with Joe writing about his life growing up in his parents' Oriental Restaurant in Ft. Wayne, Indiana for the "Sweet and Sour" book and Liz sharing memories of her life growing up in her parents' laundry in Louisville, Kentucky, for the "Chinese Laundries" book. Joe gave me a precious gift that I was honored to receive, a stainless steel serving dish, complete with cover, used in the Oriental Restaurant probably over 50 years ago!
A highlight of the evening was Nellie Wong's recital of 3 of her poems about working in her parents' family restaurant in Oakland, 2 of which she generously gave permission for use in "Sweet and Sour."
Foster City Library, June 10, 2012
Chinese in the Deep South During the Jim Crow Era: A Tale of Two Cities.
A talk comparing similarities and differences of the Chinese experience in Georgia and Mississippi based on "Southern Fried Rice" and "Chopsticks in the Land of Cotton."
Author John Jung with Delta Chinese (lto r): Mary Cheu, Rose Seid, Ann Seid.
A talk comparing similarities and differences of the Chinese experience in Georgia and Mississippi based on "Southern Fried Rice" and "Chopsticks in the Land of Cotton."
Author John Jung with Delta Chinese (lto r): Mary Cheu, Rose Seid, Ann Seid.
