With our illustrious FP Team...
In support and celebration of our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, today we’re highlighting five of our incredible FP Team members. Read on to learn about their personal heritage stories, and take note of some of their favorite traditions. (I can personally vouch for the red date tea.)
Vanessa Lew, Associate Store Design Director
Your personal heritage story:
I’m a first generation Chinese-American, born and raised in San Francisco, CA in a full household with uncles, aunties, and grandparents spread over 3 floors who immigrated here from Macau and Hong Kong. My family made sure I attended both American and Chinese schools so I’m extremely grateful for the constant exposure I had to different Chinese traditions, food (so much food!), dance, art, music, tai chi and various dialects that made growing up here so special.
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
This is a simple recipe I love making during winter months or times when you’re feeling a little dry and in need of some nourishment in your body. Chinese red dates can help improve blood and circulation in your body, along with balancing your overall qi. The dates also have such a nice, natural sweetness to them already that you don’t need to add any sugar or honey either. I love making this in my tumbler when I’m getting ready for work, so by the time I get to the office, it’s ready for drinking. :)
Nourishing “Tea” 12oz.
Ingredients:
Your personal heritage story:
I’m a first generation Chinese-American, born and raised in San Francisco, CA in a full household with uncles, aunties, and grandparents spread over 3 floors who immigrated here from Macau and Hong Kong. My family made sure I attended both American and Chinese schools so I’m extremely grateful for the constant exposure I had to different Chinese traditions, food (so much food!), dance, art, music, tai chi and various dialects that made growing up here so special.
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
This is a simple recipe I love making during winter months or times when you’re feeling a little dry and in need of some nourishment in your body. Chinese red dates can help improve blood and circulation in your body, along with balancing your overall qi. The dates also have such a nice, natural sweetness to them already that you don’t need to add any sugar or honey either. I love making this in my tumbler when I’m getting ready for work, so by the time I get to the office, it’s ready for drinking. :)
Nourishing “Tea” 12oz.
Ingredients:
- Dried Red Dates (or Jujube) Halved or Whole. Depending on the size of the dates, I typically do 4-5 halves or 3 whole pieces if they are on the larger side. If Whole, make sure you take the seed out as it will have a counter effect to nourishing if left in. See prep instructions below.
- A sprinkle of Goji Berries (I use about 6)
- Dried Logan (Optional). Depending on the size, I’ll put (2-3) in there sometimes for extra nourishment. You can find this in Chinese Herbal shops or some Asian markets.
- 12 oz. of hot water
- Wash the Red Dates before heating. If you’re using whole dates, wash before you remove the seed. Place whole or halved dates in a bowl of water and sprinkle a little bit of flour on top for washing. You don’t have to, but the flour does help draw out any dirt better than plain water. *Tip: If you plan to drink this often, you can clean the whole bag of dates ahead of time, dry all of them out (make sure they’re completely dried), and just store in a jar in a cool, dry place so you don’t have to this every time.
- Rinse the Goji Berries and Dried Logan if adding.
- There are (2) ways to heat this. I prefer the tumbler option when I’m in a rush.
- Tumbler Option: Throw all the ingredients into the tumbler and fill with hot water. Let it steep for 20-30min and then enjoy! If you don’t have a straining option in your tumbler, you can either remove the ingredients or just leave them in there if it doesn’t bother you.
- Boiling Option: Bring all the ingredients to a boil, then switch to a very low simmer for 10-12min. Strain the ingredients and enjoy!
Gziel Jalosjos, Technical Designer
Your personal heritage story:
I am a Filipino, Canadian citizen, and a permanent resident in the United States!
I was born in the Philippines and was raised by my two aunts while my mother went abroad in search of a better opportunity so that she can provide a better life for my sister and me. She first found a job as a nanny in Spain and a couple of years later, she headed to Montreal, Canada to work for a Jewish/Canadian family. This family sponsored her to become a Canadian citizen and at the age of 8 years old, my mother brought my sister and me to Montreal where I learned how to speak and write in French and became a Canadian Citizen. I met my husband, who is also a Filipino, in Philly when I was visiting my aunt back in 1999. We were married in 2004 and have been living in the Philly tri-state area ever since.
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
My kids are members of the Mutya Philippine Dance Company here in Philadelphia. It’s a way for them to learn our culture through music and dance. They perform Filipino dances around the area in various events like Independence day 2018 at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Some of the traditional and more common dances are called Tinikling, where they dance around bamboo poles; Pandanggo, where they dance with three candles that are lit, and they have to balance it on top of their heads and the back of each hand.
Here are some photos of our kids in Mutya Philippine Dance Company (above) where you can see some of the traditional clothing and dance.
Your personal heritage story:
I am a Filipino, Canadian citizen, and a permanent resident in the United States!
I was born in the Philippines and was raised by my two aunts while my mother went abroad in search of a better opportunity so that she can provide a better life for my sister and me. She first found a job as a nanny in Spain and a couple of years later, she headed to Montreal, Canada to work for a Jewish/Canadian family. This family sponsored her to become a Canadian citizen and at the age of 8 years old, my mother brought my sister and me to Montreal where I learned how to speak and write in French and became a Canadian Citizen. I met my husband, who is also a Filipino, in Philly when I was visiting my aunt back in 1999. We were married in 2004 and have been living in the Philly tri-state area ever since.
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
My kids are members of the Mutya Philippine Dance Company here in Philadelphia. It’s a way for them to learn our culture through music and dance. They perform Filipino dances around the area in various events like Independence day 2018 at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Some of the traditional and more common dances are called Tinikling, where they dance around bamboo poles; Pandanggo, where they dance with three candles that are lit, and they have to balance it on top of their heads and the back of each hand.
Here are some photos of our kids in Mutya Philippine Dance Company (above) where you can see some of the traditional clothing and dance.
Emery Hu, Associate Designer
Your personal heritage story:
I am born and raised in China for my whole childhood and teenage years. I came to US at the age of 18 for my college studying, then I moved to Philly after graduation. 8 years in US and my experiences in traditional Asian culture made my life a unique blending of both eastern and western styles.
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
Recipe: Zhezhe Chicken
Zhezhe chicken is a very traditional Cantonese meal that is easy to make with easy to get materials. This is an everyday dish in Cantonese family’s recipe, it is also one of my favorite dishes.
Material: 200g of chicken wings, ginger, garlic, green onion, salt, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine (you can get from any Asian supermarket)
Gently slice on the surface of chicken wing so it is easier to absorb sauce during the curing process. Place chicken wings into a bowl, add half teaspoon of salt, 3 teaspoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce, 4 teaspoons of cooking wine into the bowl as well and stir them together. Leave it for 1 hour so chicken wing can absorb all the taste of sauces.
Slice half ginger into thin slices and chop one green onion into small pieces. Prepare half garlic.
Place a fry pan on stove and wait until it gets hot. Pour peanut oil into the pan. Add garlic, ginger slices and start frying them until you smell it in the air. Add in the chicken wing (just the meat and keep the sauces for now), fry them until the color turns to yellow. Add in the rest of sauces and one cup of water. Boil it until all the water is gone. Stir and fry for 1 more minute and add in all the green onion pieces. Then it is ready to go!
Your personal heritage story:
I am born and raised in China for my whole childhood and teenage years. I came to US at the age of 18 for my college studying, then I moved to Philly after graduation. 8 years in US and my experiences in traditional Asian culture made my life a unique blending of both eastern and western styles.
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
Recipe: Zhezhe Chicken
Zhezhe chicken is a very traditional Cantonese meal that is easy to make with easy to get materials. This is an everyday dish in Cantonese family’s recipe, it is also one of my favorite dishes.
Material: 200g of chicken wings, ginger, garlic, green onion, salt, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine (you can get from any Asian supermarket)
Gently slice on the surface of chicken wing so it is easier to absorb sauce during the curing process. Place chicken wings into a bowl, add half teaspoon of salt, 3 teaspoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce, 4 teaspoons of cooking wine into the bowl as well and stir them together. Leave it for 1 hour so chicken wing can absorb all the taste of sauces.
Slice half ginger into thin slices and chop one green onion into small pieces. Prepare half garlic.
Place a fry pan on stove and wait until it gets hot. Pour peanut oil into the pan. Add garlic, ginger slices and start frying them until you smell it in the air. Add in the chicken wing (just the meat and keep the sauces for now), fry them until the color turns to yellow. Add in the rest of sauces and one cup of water. Boil it until all the water is gone. Stir and fry for 1 more minute and add in all the green onion pieces. Then it is ready to go!
Heidi Cheng, Senior 3D Technical Designer
Your personal heritage story:
I am a first-generation Chinese/Taiwanese Canadian/American (say that 5x fast!). My mother was born and raised in Hong Kong, my father was born in Taiwan. So the story goes, one of my mother’s five sisters tried to get my dad to date one of their other sisters, but my mom got their first and the rest is history. I was born in Canada, but moved to a small town in Michigan as a toddler. I eventually went through the naturalization process to gain my American citizenship when I was 22.
Because I was raised by my immigrant parents in a farming town in the midwest, I grew up being the only kid of Asian descent in my school, and one of the only minorities for the entire town. It was a childhood of locally hunted venison sausage and traditional Chinese moon cakes. Consequently, I adapted to my surroundings and let my heritage take the backseat. Now as an adult, I’m learning to accept and appreciate my background, and constantly try to learn more about it. I periodically ask my parents to dig up recipes I remember from my childhood, and I usually take weekly trips to the Asian grocery store to find nostalgic treats or find new things to play with.
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
I would like to share my go-to easy fix rice bowl! I always have the ingredients on hand; it’s what I do when I want something and simple to make that is filling and comforting -- it’s completely adaptable and super fast to put together. This is arguably the dish that got me through college.
Ingredients:
Throw the sausage into the rice water to cook at the same time with the rice. Chop the sauce into bites when finished, and fry the egg (a little runny is best!).
Fill a bowl with the rice, mix in a sprinkle of pork floss, sausage, and a drizzle of Maggi. Top with a fried egg and you are good to go!
Your personal heritage story:
I am a first-generation Chinese/Taiwanese Canadian/American (say that 5x fast!). My mother was born and raised in Hong Kong, my father was born in Taiwan. So the story goes, one of my mother’s five sisters tried to get my dad to date one of their other sisters, but my mom got their first and the rest is history. I was born in Canada, but moved to a small town in Michigan as a toddler. I eventually went through the naturalization process to gain my American citizenship when I was 22.
Because I was raised by my immigrant parents in a farming town in the midwest, I grew up being the only kid of Asian descent in my school, and one of the only minorities for the entire town. It was a childhood of locally hunted venison sausage and traditional Chinese moon cakes. Consequently, I adapted to my surroundings and let my heritage take the backseat. Now as an adult, I’m learning to accept and appreciate my background, and constantly try to learn more about it. I periodically ask my parents to dig up recipes I remember from my childhood, and I usually take weekly trips to the Asian grocery store to find nostalgic treats or find new things to play with.
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
I would like to share my go-to easy fix rice bowl! I always have the ingredients on hand; it’s what I do when I want something and simple to make that is filling and comforting -- it’s completely adaptable and super fast to put together. This is arguably the dish that got me through college.
Ingredients:
- Jasmine rice
- Chinese Sausage
- Pork floss (I used two different types)
- Maggi Seasoning
- 1 egg
Throw the sausage into the rice water to cook at the same time with the rice. Chop the sauce into bites when finished, and fry the egg (a little runny is best!).
Fill a bowl with the rice, mix in a sprinkle of pork floss, sausage, and a drizzle of Maggi. Top with a fried egg and you are good to go!
Reia Lobo, Concept Design Assistant
Your personal heritage story:
Hi everyone. I’m a first-generation immigrant from India. I grew up in the big bustling city of Mumbai and moved to a small town in Connecticut when I was 15.
While the traffic and city lights were replaced with trees and birds chirping, Bollywood movies and music kept me connected to home. Below are some of my favorite movies (They can all be found on Netflix) and a Spotify playlist I love listening to.
Zindagi Na Milege Dobara
Queen
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
3 Idiots
Dear Zindagi
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
I’m so grateful that I got to grow up in and call India home. I miss being home, especially during this hard time. As you may have read in the news, COVID cases are at an all time high in India. Here’s a link to donate to and learn more about what’s going on right now.
Your personal heritage story:
Hi everyone. I’m a first-generation immigrant from India. I grew up in the big bustling city of Mumbai and moved to a small town in Connecticut when I was 15.
While the traffic and city lights were replaced with trees and birds chirping, Bollywood movies and music kept me connected to home. Below are some of my favorite movies (They can all be found on Netflix) and a Spotify playlist I love listening to.
Zindagi Na Milege Dobara
Queen
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
3 Idiots
Dear Zindagi
What you’d like to share that’s reflective of your heritage:
I’m so grateful that I got to grow up in and call India home. I miss being home, especially during this hard time. As you may have read in the news, COVID cases are at an all time high in India. Here’s a link to donate to and learn more about what’s going on right now.