Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor Hosts 1st Annual Varli Culinary Awards with Co-hosts Manu Narayan, Jehangir Mehta & Gaurav Tandon in New York on November 15, 2012

Manu Narayan Photo by Lia Chang

Manu Narayan Photo by Lia Chang

After much-acclaimed success with Varli Magazine, the Varli Food Festival, and the Varli Cook-Off, the Varli brand continues to expand its reach with the first annual Varli Culinary Awards on November 15, 2012, at The Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. in New York.

The evening will be hosted by internationally acclaimed Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, along with Bombay Dream star Manu Narayan (The Love Guru), fresh from his electrifying turn as Richard Roma in La Jolla Playhouse’s revival of Glengarry Glen Ross.

Vikas Khanna (Photo by Lia Chang)

Vikas Khanna (Photo by Lia Chang)


The highly esteemed panel of judges includes celebrity judges, renowned food correspondents, and culinary experts such as Vikas Khanna, Jehangir Mehta, Monica Bhide, Rajesh Bhardwaj, Prasad Chirnomula, Hari Nayak.

This revolutionary concept will be the first global awards event honoring the best culinary talent in an array of categories related to Indian cuisine. “It was time to give credit where credit’s due. We really wanted to recognize and applaud the contributions and amazing achievements of Indian chefs, restaurateurs, and key influencers on the international culinary stage,” says Varli Singh, founder of the Varli brand.
In continuation of Varli’s mission to universally promote Indian cuisine, contestants spaning the U.S., India, Middle East, and Europe will compete in numerous categories including “Best Chef of the Year”, “Best Cookbook”, and “Best Restaurant”. Awards are divided into three different types based on the complexity of judging, and competitiveness of the contestant pool: “People’s Choice” categories (voting began on July 04, 2012), categories determined by a ‘Live Competition and/or a “Panel of Judges” and “Varli’s Choice”. There will also be a ‘Public Recipe Competition’ where amateur cooks from around the world can submit any original rice-based recipe (as a tribute to the event’s title sponsor, Indian Star Basmati Rice) for consideration and win the chance to participate in an exciting cook-off in front of culinary greats.

Varli has also partnered with Magic Bus, an India-based charity helping to change the lives of children through sports, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to this inspiring cause.

For more information on the awards, to vote for your favorite restaurant, or submit a recipe for the public contest, visit www.varliawards.com.

Varli Culinary Awards 2012
Thursday, November 15th, 2012
5 P.M – 10 P.M
The Altman Building
135 W. 18th Street
(between 6th and 7th Avenue)
New York, NY 10011

Other articles by Lia Chang:
Multimedia: Manu Narayan Dazzles as Richard Roma in La Jolla Playhouse’s Revival of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Master Chef Martin Yan at the 5th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas
Chef Martin Yan and Theresa Lin Co-host the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Show & Conference in Las Vegas by Lia Chang
Vikas Khanna’s documentary Holy Kitchens – Karma to Nirvana, premieres at the New York Indian Film Festival
Manu Narayan, Johnny Wu, Peter Maloney, Jeff Marlow, Matt MacNelly, James Sutorius, Ray Anthony Thomas Set for La Jolla Playhouse’s Glengarry Glen Ross, September 18- October 21, 2012
Sudhish Kamath’s Good Night | Good Morning Starring Manu Narayan and Seema Rahmani in Theaters
Shailja Gupta’s WALKAWAY Featuring Manu Narayan and Samrat Chakrabarti, Opens on 26 Screens Across 18 Cities on 10/29/10
Sudhish Kamath’s Good Night|Good Morning Starring Manu Narayan & Seema Rahmani Screens in Mumbai 10/24, NY on 10/28
ONE Musical stars Paolo Montalban, Manu Narayan, Pearl Sun and Michael Winther
Photo Call: BD Wong and the Cast of Heading East at the Asia Society

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang. Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang. Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography


Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2012 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

LUCKYRICE Festival 2011 in NY includes Daniel Boulud, Susur Lee, Anito Lo, Masaharu Morimoto, May 2-8, 2011

Chef Susur Lee in the lobby of Shang, in the Thompson LES Hotel on January 10, 2009. (Photo by Lia Chang)

Chef Susur Lee in the lobby of Shang, in the Thompson LES Hotel. (Photo by Lia Chang)

The second annual LUCKYRICE Festival, presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and Conde Nast Traveler, kicks off tonight with Dinner with Anita Lo presented by HSBC at Anissa from 7pm-10pm. ($200)

The inaugural 2010 Festival was 100% sold-out; this year’s festival expands to one week from May 2-8, 2011 at various locations throughout New York City. Participants of the LUCKYRICE Festival include members of the LUCKYRICE Culinary Council – Daniel Boulud, Susur Lee, Anito Lo, Masaharu Morimoto, amongst others, to include some of the world’s top restaurants, chefs, and mixologists. Tickets can be purchased at www.luckyrice.com. Proceeds from the festival will again benefit City Harvest.

“We are thrilled to be joined by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and again by Conde Nast Traveler for the LUCKYRICE Festival this year,” said Danielle Chang, Founder of LUCKYRICE. “I am excited to share Asia’s rich culinary culture with so many New Yorkers and honored to be supported by our esteemed Culinary Council.”

ABOUT LUCKYRICE
LUCKYRICE is an integrated experiential marketing and media company that was launched in the spring of 2010. LUCKYRICE has quickly become the definitive guide to the Asian culinary world, which represents sixty percent of the world’s population. LUCKYRICE understands these cultures and creates a common denominator through the lens of food.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*
May 2 – 8, 2011 | New York City

Monday, May 2
Kick-Off Dinner with Anita Lo presented by HSBC
Annisa | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
$200
One of the city’s most beloved chefs kicks off the LUCKYRICE week of festivities with an intimate dinner full of surprise guests and tantalizing things to eat.

Tuesday, May 3
Opening Cocktails with Carol Lim + Humberto Leon of Opening Ceremony
The Bowery Hotel | 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. (VIP 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.)
$50 / $88 VIP
Toast the start of the LUCKYRICE Fest 2011 with a spirited evening of Asian-infused cocktails and style. Hosted by the iconic tastemakers behind the fashion darling Opening Ceremony, this event puts a spotlight on cocktails concocted by the city’s top mixology talents.

Wednesday, May 4
Night Market
Archway Under the Manhattan Bridge, DUMBO | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (VIP 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
$50 / $88 VIP
Night Market brings festive Asian night markets back to the historic Archway in DUMBO. Serving up traditional Asian street grub as well as more inspired offerings interpreted by local gastrohipsters, experience the quintessential Asian night market experience – with a distinctly Brooklyn flavor.

Thursday, May 5
James Beard House Dinner: Flavors of Macau
James Beard House | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
$170
One of the most cosmopolitan spots in Asia, the entertainment capital Macau is also home to some of Asia’s finest dining. This evening at the legendary James Beard House pays tribute to Macau’s history as a former Portuguese colony.

Omakase Dinner with Sake + Shochu Soiree with Morimoto presented by HSBC
Morimoto Restaurant | 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
$250
Join Iron Chef Morimoto as he hosts an adventurous Japanese-style “omakase” (chef’s choice) dinner paired with sake, shochu and wines.

Thursday, May 5
Sake + Shochu Soiree with Morimoto
Morimoto Restaurant (downstairs lounge) | 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
$50
Party with Morimoto over Japanese cocktails, sake and shochu. Kanpai!

Friday, May 6
Grand Feast hosted by Kelly Choi presented by HSBC
Mandarin Oriental | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (VIP 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
$150 / $250 VIP
At this epic celebration of Asian cuisine, travel and feast your way through Asia’s diverse cultures without leaving the majestic Mandarin Oriental ballroom overlooking Central Park. Hosted by Kelly Choi, the Grand Feast celebrates the best of Asian cuisine as interpreted by an acclaimed line-up of master chefs from Asia as well as those from the LUCKYRICE culinary council.

Saturday, May 7
La Fête Chinoise with Daniel Boulud and Susur Lee presented by HSBC
Restaurant DANIEL | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
$500
Join legendary chefs Daniel Boulud and Susur Lee as the masters of French and Chinese cuisine come together for an unprecedented collaborative Chinese banquet dinner at Restaurant DANIEL. The evening will start with inventive cocktails paired with hors d’oeuvre chinois and will be followed by a gastronomic feast personally prepared and hosted by Chefs Boulud and Lee.

Sunday, May 8
Talk + Taste hosted by Ching-He Huang | Cooking Channel
Astor Center | 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
$50
For culinary aficionados who love to cook and eat, Talk + Taste will feature cooking demonstrations by masters of Asian cuisine as they prepare regional specialties. Join us for a convivial afternoon of tastings, demos and mingling with culinary insiders, hosted by Ching-He Huang, of Cooking Channel’s “Chinese Food Made Easy.”

*programs and schedules subject to change

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Vikas Khanna’s Holy Kitchens Karma to Nirvana premieres at New York Indian Film Festival on 5/7 at Tribeca Cinemas
Restaurants Respond for Relief, Chef Arnold Wong Hosts Benefit for Japan Night at E&O Trading Co. in SF on 4/10
Dishin’ Favorites: Katz’s Pastrami at The Shop at Andaz
Juicy Buns at Ollie’s
Joël Robuchon, Kunio Tokuoka, Scott Webster and Susur Lee among Superstar Chef Line-up at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore| CNNGo.com
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Master Chef Martin Yan at the 5th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas
Samrat Chakrabarti stars in Soham Mehta’s Fatakra, Shiva Bajpal’s Raju, and Rehana Mirza’s Zameer & Preeti at NYIFF
AEA’s celebrates Asian Heritage Month w/ Leviathan Lab’s Asian American Female Playwright’s Short Play Festival in NY, 5/12, 13
Ruby Dee, Alicia Keys, Sidney Poitier among honorees at Woodie King, Jr.’s New Federal Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Gala at Edison Ballroom on May 22
André De Shields stars in Chicago Premiere of Charles Smith’s The Gospel According to James at Victory Gardens 5/14-6/12
32nd Annual Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival at Union Square Park in NYC on May 8, 2011
11th Annual New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), May 4-8, 2011
Video: Aroon Shivdasani interviews Samrat Chakrabarti at Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council (MIAAC) Film Festival
MIAAC Screens Ashes & The Waiting City, two films featuring Samrat Chakrabarti at SVA Theater on 11/12
Up Close and Personal with Darren Pettie, Star of The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore
House of Payne’s Denise Burse on the 2011 NAACP Image Awards & Season 7; “Shout Out” Episode airs April 20
Video: Denise Burse as Claretha Jenkins on House of Payne
Marva Hicks and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra light up the Southern Theatre with a “A Night at the Apollo”
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography


Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on “One Life to Live”. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and “New York Undercover”.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

Vikas Khanna’s documentary Holy Kitchens – Karma to Nirvana, premieres at the New York Indian Film Festival on May 7 at Tribeca Cinemas

Chef Vikas Khanna Photo by Lia Chang

Chef Vikas Khanna Photo by Lia Chang


Celebrity Chef Vikas Khanna’s documentary Holy Kitchens – Karma to Nirvana, the second installment in the series which focuses specifically on Hinduism, Lord Krishna’s spiritual practices, and the principles of KARMA and NIRVANA as set forth in the Bhagavad-Gita, will premiere at the New York Indian Film Festival on Saturday, May 7, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. in Tribeca Cinemas’ Theater TWO (54 Varick Street). Click here to purchase tickets.

“God comes to the hungry in the form of food,” said the ‘Father of India’ Mahatma Gandhi. It is this philosophy which has compelled Chef Vikas Khanna to explore the symbiotic intersection of food and religion in his documentary series Holy Kitchens. “At any given time somewhere on Earth, people are gathering to share food in the name of God. This is spiritual sustenance, meant to bring us closer together and closer to the Creator,” says Khanna. “This is the story of Holy Kitchens.”

The film features interviews with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Arun Gandhi, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Shaunaka Rishi Das, Aroon Shivdasani, Lynn McGuire, Scott Carney and Anju Bhargava. It is written and narrated by Andrew Blackmore-Dobbyn, directed by Anubhav Bhardwaj, and co-directed by Francisco Aguila. Karma to Nirvana is a Junoon Hospitality presentation.

Vikas Khanna’s journey in the documentary takes us right into the soup kitchens of Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi’s ashram in Kerala, where Amma blesses thousands of people daily with motherly hugs and serves them meals with her own hands. “We have to help the hungry as best we can,” says Amma. “We have to see that feeding the hungry is no less than the worship of God.”

Subsequently, the documentary highlights the magnanimous charity work of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Delhi and other parts of the world. Their “Food for All” programs feed hundreds of thousands of hungry children and adults, and Khanna personally cooks in the ISKCON kitchens in London, as a way for him to give back.

ISKCON’s mid-day meal program in India provides free meals to children in schools, thereby helping them get an education and ensuring a brighter future for them, as well as for India. According to the Bhagavad-Gita, “sharing food is the highest form of Karma.” It is this selfless service to others that eventually leads Hindus to the path to higher spirituality and, thus, to Nirvana.

True Business, the first film in the Holy Kitchens series focused on the Sikh religion and how its temples provide free food through its kitchens, known as “langars,” to everyone who comes, regardless of their beliefs. With commentary by Dr. Deepak Chopra, the film played to a sold-out audience at New York’s Sikh International Film Festival in fall 2010. Next year’s film is titled The Moon of Eïd and will explore Ramadan in the Islamic faith from the Middle East to Europe and across the world.

“Our aim is to make people aware of this commonality of the world’s religious traditions and to illuminate the differences in a way that will engender mutual tolerance and respect,” says Khanna. “Taken together, these films are our offering to the dialog that is meant to create more peace and harmony in the world.”

For more information about the Holy Kitchens series, upcoming films, and screening schedules, visit http://www.holykitchens.com. Click here to purchase tickets.

About Vikas Khanna: Vikas Khanna was raised in Amritsar, India, where he grew up surrounded by large family feasts, the seasonal produce fresh from the fields of Punjab, and of course, his grandmother’s traditional home cooking. It was at his grandmother’s side that he began to learn the intricacies of Indian cuisine. He started his own catering business, Lawrence Gardens, at the age of 17. His current restaurant work includes Junoon Restaurant, the Café at the Rubin Museum of Art, and Flavors and Feasts Catering. Upon his graduation from the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Vikas went on to train under renowned chefs of Taj Group of Hotels, Oberoi, Leela Group, and many more. He has authored several books including “The Spice Story of India” and “Modern Indian Cooking.” His next book, “Flavors First,” will be published in 2011 by Lake Isle Press. His following book is titled “Return to the Rivers: A Culinary Pilgrimage Through the Himalayas,” with a foreword by His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. Vikas has also been a guest judge and chef on Gordon Ramsay’s television shows for Fox, Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares, Food Network and the Martha Stewart Show among others. He is the recipient of numerous national and international awards and is also an honorary member of many foundations, including the World Peace Society. www.vkhanna.com.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Samrat Chakrabarti stars in Soham Mehta’s Fatakra, Shiva Shankar Bajpai’s Raju, and Rehana Mirza’s Zameer & Preeti at NYIFF
11th Annual New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), May 4-8, 2011
Nan Melville’s Documentary ‘Nrityagram: For the Love of Dance’ screens at the Newport Beach Film Festival on May 3
The Dish on Susur Lee and Shang
Up Close and Personal with Darren Pettie, Star of The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore
House of Payne’s Denise Burse on the 2011 NAACP Image Awards & Season 7; “Shout Out” Episode airs April 20
André De Shields stars in Chicago Premiere of Charles Smith’s The Gospel According to James at Victory Gardens 5/14-6/12
32nd Annual Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival at Union Square Park in NYC on May 8, 2011
Join Minami Tamaki LLP & Inspirational Opportunities for Youth and Seniors (IOYS) in Helping Victims of Japan Earthquake
Ruby Dee, Alicia Keys, Sidney Poitier among honorees at Woodie King, Jr.’s New Federal Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Gala at Edison Ballroom on May 22
MIAAC Screens Ashes & The Waiting City, two films featuring Samrat Chakrabarti at SVA Theater on 11/12/10
Read More…

Lia Chang: Restaurants Respond for Relief, Chef Arnold Wong Hosts Special Benefit for Japan Night at E&O Trading Co. in SF on April 10


On Sunday April 10th, Chef Arnold Wong is hosting a Special Benefit for Japan Night at E&O Trading Co. 314 Sutter Street in San Francisco to aid Japan following the country’s devastating natural disaster. This amazing evening brings together San Francisco’s finest restaurants, wineries and mixologists to raise funds for the victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan on March 11th.

Liam Mayclem of Eye on the Bay will preside as emcee from 5-9pm, live entertainment will feature local favorite Chef Joey Altman & The Backburner Blues and burlesque dancers, and the Bon Vivants will be mixing up amazing cocktails during this evening of great food, wines, spirits, live music, entertainment and a silent auction.

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 and 100% of proceeds from the evening will be donated directly to Give2Asia. …Representatives from Give2Asia will be in attendance to speak about their involvement with the Japanese community and outreach underway. Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets will also be available at the door based on capacity!

http://www.give2asia.org/documents/Give2Asia-JapanTsunami-HowToHelp.pdf

Participating Restaurants:
Betelnut
Butterfly
Contigo
Range
Slanted Door
Grand Cafe
StarBelly
Beast & Hare
One Market
Tres
Citizen’s Band
Live Sushi
Le Soleil
Basil Canteen
& More

Desserts:
Cocotutti
Kara’s Cupcakes
Nash Baker’s
Raison d’etre Bakery
Pinky’s Bakery
Namu Restaurant

Beverages:
Southern Wine & Spirits
Honig Winery
Haamonii Smooth Shochu
Southern Wine & Spirits
Cannonball Wines
Illy Cafe
Cocktails & Bartending Skills by Bon Vivant’s

Silent & Live Auction Items:
Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Columbus Salami
Fairmont
Cosmopolitan
Palio d’Asti
Harris
One Market
McKormick & Kuleto’s
Il Fornaio
Lark Creek Steakhouse
Marlowe/Park Tavern Restaurant
Thirsty Bear
JDV
Campton Place
Straits Restaurant
Live Sushi Bar
Le Soleil
Illy Cafe
Qupe Winery
Sephora
Attic Restaurant
Tommy Toy’s
Yan Can Cook
Sugar Bowl Bakery
Ferry Building Wine Merchant
and much more…

April 10, 2011
5pm-9pm
E&O Trading Company, San Francisco
314 Sutter Street @ Grant Avenue
San Francisco, California 94108
(415) 693-0303

E&O Trading Co. is a Modern Asian oasis in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square. Easy off-site parking is available at the Sutter-Stockton garage across the street. The restaurant is open from 11:30am – 10:00pm Monday – Thursday, 11:30am – 11:00pm Friday – Saturday, and 5:00pm – 9:30pm Sunday. www.eotrading.com


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All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
The Dish on Susur Lee and Shang
Dishin’ Favorites: Katz’s Pastrami at The Shop at Andaz
Juicy Buns at Ollie’s
Joël Robuchon, Kunio Tokuoka, Scott Webster and Susur Lee among Superstar Chef Line-up at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore| CNNGo.com
Dishin’ Favorites: Porchetta is My Lastest Obsession
Dishin’ Favorites: Veselka
Photos of Lion Dancers in Los Angeles Chinatown
Photos: Chinese New Year Festival at The Huntington in San Marino
<Lunch at The Modern, A Stroll Through The Conservatory Garden in Central Park
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Master Chef Martin Yan at the 5th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas
House of Payne-Payneful Visit Episode features Denise Burse as Claretha Jenkins on TBS
Marva Hicks to Star in Concert of Pat Holley’s R&B/Pop Musical, Me & Caesar Lee at Triad Theatre, 3/27, 4/3 & 4/10
A night out with Gordana Rashovich, Flora Goforth in The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore
André De Shields Set for World Premiere of Charles Smith’s The Gospel According to James at Indiana Rep, 3/22-4/10
Photos: David Duchovny, John Earl Jelks, Amanda Peet,Tracee Chimo opening night of Neil LaBute’s The Break of Noon
Photos & Video Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas-In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

Lia Chang: Edible Queens Presents Asian Feastival on Labor Day Monday, 9/6 in Flushing, Queens


From noon to 5pm on Labor Day Monday, East Coast Asian cuisine foodies can whet their appetites at the Asian Feastival, at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel, 135-20 39th Avenue in Flushing, NY.

Prompted by the overwhelming interest in exploring the culinary treasures of New York’s largest and most diverse borough, Edible Queens is presenting Asian Feastival, a one-day culinary festival and tasting event celebrating local, authentic Asian cuisines in Queens. Feastival goers will have the chance to see, taste and appreciate the diverse culinary landscape of Queens all in one place. Curating a select group of Asian restaurants representing the best in the borough, Asian Feastival brings together a kaleidoscope of regional specialties ranging from piping hot Tibetan yak momos and delicate sake-paired Japanese zensai to miniature Indian dosas dipped in spicy sambal. The diversity of Asian cuisines represented include Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Nepalese, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Thai, and Tibetan.

Tickets to the event are $60 at the door, or $55 online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Food Bank For New York City and City Harvest.

In addition to a comprehensive tasting, Asian Feastival will have a variety of interactive and educational programs focusing on Asian flavors, culinary techniques, including:

On-site Asian farmer’s market featuring Asian fruits and vegetables
Kian Kho Lam, Culinary Educator and Chinese Food Expert, redcook.net
Cathy Erway, Cookbook Author, Art of Eating In

Cooking demonstrations throughout the day
Okonomiyaki
Vegetable Carving
Cooking with Fish Sauce
Korean Cooking Demo

Cookbook Corner, where there will be cookbook signings and a variety of books available for purchase.

Schedule of the Asian Feastival
9:30AM-12:00 PM Asian Feastival Culinary Bike “Tour du Jour” in the morning prior to the main event for the first 10 people to sign up
Youngsun Lee, Chef and Culinary Educator, Institute of Culinary Education

Panel Discussions with culinary experts (*programs and panelists subject to change)
12:30-1:30 PM
The Asian Spice Cabinet
Leah McLaughlin, Editor and Publisher, Edible Queens
Geetika Khanna, Indian Culinary Center
Nirmala Narine, Cookbook Author, Founder of Nirmala’s Kitchen

Walk the Wok and Talk the Talk
Francis Lam, Food Writer and Editor, Salon.com
Grace Young, Author, Stir-Frying to the Sky’s Edge
Ramin Ganeshram, Sweet Hands: Island Cooking From Trinidad & Tobago

1:15-1:45 PM Opening Remarks & Keynote Speech

1:45-2:30 PM
Rice: The Long and Short of It
Jay Weinstein, Author of Ethical Gourmet, Culinary Educator at Natural Gourmet Institute
Akiko Katayama, Food Writer, Judge on Iron Chef America

Asian Fusion Confusion
Ed Schoenfeld, Asian Culinary Authority and Restaurateur, Red Farm
Jamie Tiampo, Host of EatTV.com, Partner at dell’anima and L’Artusi
Bruce Cost, Asian Food Expert and Restaurant, Big Bowl and Wow Bow Restaurants

3:00-3:45 PM
The Next Generation of Asian American Cuisine
Lee Anne Wong, Chef and Consultant, Top Chef
Akira Back, Executive Chef, Yellowtail Restaurant and Lounge at the Bellagio
Eddie Huang, Chef and Owner, Baohaus

Deconstructing Southeast Asian Flavors
Cheryl Tan, Author, A Tiger in the Kitchen
Andy Yang, Chef and Owner of Rhong-Tiam restaurants
Kian Lam Kho, Redcook.net

4:00-4:15 PM Food Bank of NYC Raffle Drawing

4:15-5:00 PM Tastehunting Tour of Flushing & Understanding Sustainable Seafood
Joe DiStefano, Contributing Editor, Edible Queens

“Our most popular articles are those that take our readers on exotic adventures in their own backyard, and Flushing is by far one of the most exciting neighborhoods to explore from a cultural and culinary perspective,” said Leah McLaughlin, editor and publisher of Edible Queens, the borough’s only food-focused magazine, website and monthly newsletter. Since its launch in 2009, Edible Queens has shown a much-needed spotlight on the incredible diversity of culinary culture in Queens and has become the go-to publication for adventurous food-loving New Yorkers.

Wendy Chan, a seasoned consultant in the Asian food industry, co-author of New Asian Cuisine: Fabulous Recipes from Celebrity Chefs and producer of many food related events for trade and consumers, is producing Asian Feastival.

“I am passionate about promoting Asian cuisine as well as Asian food products. I see more Americans who did not grow up eating them becoming increasingly fond of exploring and adopting new Asian flavors,” stated Chan, who has consistently championed small businesses and Asian chefs and is a proponent of food education. Since moving to Long Island City two years ago, she has grown increasingly proud of showcasing the many excellent dishes, frequently inviting culinary experts and gourmands to go taste-hunting with her.

Tickets to the event are $60 at the door, or $55 online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com.

Date: September 6, 2010
Place: Sheraton LaGuardia East
135-20 39th Avenue
Flushing, NY
Time: noon – 5pm
Purchase Tickets
Event Website

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Online Media Partner:
New Asian Cuisine promotes Asian food, culture, people and trends worldwide. The website is the largest provider of Asian recipes from over 100 chefs, restaurateurs, bloggers and Asian food experts worldwide. In addition, it is also an online resource guide of Asian cookbooks, Asian ingredients and lists over 1000 Asian supermarkets and Asian online grocery stores in the US and Canada. Please visit www.newasiancuisine.com.

Non-Profit Partners:

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 27 years as the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs. As one of the country’s largest food banks, our mission is to end hunger in New York City by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity. As the city’s hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — emergency food distribution, financial empowerment and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research.

Now serving New York City for more than 25 years, City Harvest is the world’s first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding the city’s hungry men, women, and children. This year, City Harvest will collect 28 million pounds of excess food from all segments of the food industry, including restaurants, grocers, corporate cafeterias, manufacturers, and farms. This food is then delivered free of charge to nearly 600 community food programs throughout New York City using a fleet of trucks and bikes as well as volunteers on foot. City Harvest also addresses hunger’s underlying causes by supporting affordable access to nutritious food in low-income communities, educating individuals, families, and communities in the prevention of diet-related diseases, channeling a greater amount of local farm food into high-need areas, and enhancing the ability of our agency partners to feed hungry men, women, and children.


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All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2010 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Joël Robuchon, Kunio Tokuoka, Scott Webster and Susur Lee among Superstar Chef Line-up at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore| CNNGo.com
Dishin’ Favorites: Porchetta is My Lastest Obsession
Dishin’ Favorites: Veselka
Chef Susur Lee at Hilton Singapore
The Dish on Susur Lee and Shang
Multimedia-Photos and Video: Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas- In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
Crafting a Career
Norman Y. Mineta: A Boy from San Jose by E. Samantha Cheng, screens at National Portrait Gallery
Photo Call: BD Wong and the Cast of Heading East at the Asia Society
Making the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution Bill a Reality
Photos by Lia Chang at the Shanghai World Expo 2010’s USA Pavilion, Library of Congress and Hollywood Chinese: The Arthur Dong Collection in L.A.
Hollywood Chinese: The Arthur Dong Collection Exhibition at the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles, has been extended through November 7, 2010
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive.

Photo by Lia Chang

Photo by Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia is frequently tapped to collaborate with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden.

This year, selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space will become part of newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, VIBE, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

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