SAN FRANCISCO – The second annual “Chow Fun” event in San Francisco came to a close this weekend and organizers say this year’s dinner-around was a great success.
Over the course of the week, people celebrated AAPI culture and went on a culinary adventure while supporting small businesses. Participants who dined or shopped at businesses registered for the event received a passport stamp. Those who have collected enough stamps are then eligible to participate in raffles.
The purpose of the event is to spotlight local AAPI merchants while celebrating and building community.
“Hopefully we’ll bring more foot traffic to our local merchants just to help them out while they’re at it, celebrating community and culture. We hope it’s a win-win situation,” said Al Perez, Entertainment Commissioner for San Francisco. “This is really a way for us to celebrate our culture, diversity, community, our history – and food is the best way to get to know a culture.”
The event first started in San Francisco’s Excelsior District, but this year organizers expanded it to the Oceanview, Merced and Ingleside neighborhoods. Thirty-nine restaurants and merchants participated this year, up from 23 the first year, according to organizers.
“On Mission Street, where Al founded Chow Fun last year, more than 55 percent of small businesses are now AAPI,” said Michael Lai, board member of Wu-Yee Children’s Services. “We hope this can encourage people to visit their local corridors too.”
Although the event and AAPI Heritage Month are now in the rearview mirror, Perez and Lai encourage people to continue supporting local businesses. Now that the second year is in the books, they are eager to move on to next year’s Chow Fun event.
