For as long as I can remember, family time involved the kitchen. There was never someone alone in the kitchen at my home. It was our time to catch up, hang out, and unwind from the long days. As a first generation American, I grew up with burgers, hot dogs, and fried chicken alongside duck, pork belly, and tofu. My childhood was based in Virginia, so growing up, we traveled all along the southern region of the U.S., and that is where it was confirmed to me that "food = love". Food was meant to be comforting, like a warm blanket on a chilly evening. My food, whether it be traditional Chinese dishes or the southern comfort I grew up learning and loving, is always made the diners feel good.
