Asian Avenue Magazine - February 2024 by Asian Avenue magazine

February 2024

Volume 19 | Issue 2

Film Festival is back for 9th year of Asian films and events

Duchess of Cameron highlights artistry in high-end cakes

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AN ASIAN-PACIFIC ASSOCIATION OF LONGMONT EVENT

LUNAR NEW YEAR YEAR OF THE DRAGON

2 24 SILVER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL 4901 Nelson Rd., Longmont, CO • • • • • • •

FREE and open to the public Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Dragon Dance and performances begin at 2:00 p.m. Cultural Activities Booths open at 2:00 p.m Cultural Games in the small gym after performances Additional performances in the auditorium at 3:30 p.m. Learn more about it at: APALCONNECT.ORG

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS

ASIAN AVENUE - PRESIDENT’S NOTE February 10, 2024 kicks off the Year of the Dragon! Thank you to our local community who attended the Lunar New Year On Havan Street Festival at the Stampede in Aurora on February 4. We had such a wonderful time celebrating with firecrackers, lion dancing, dozens of local vendors in our Global Market, delicious foods and desserts, and cultural performances. We loved seeing all the smiles and appreciation of this significant holiday! We are grateful to have partnered with On Havana Street and Bonfire Event Co. for this event, and thank all of the sponsors who made the event possible! We wish you all a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year!

Annie Guo VanDan, President Asian Avenue magazine Connect with us! hello@asianavemag.com @asianavemag Looking ahead, we will be opening nominations for our annual Asian American Heroes of Colorado Awards this month. In March, we will announce the vendors for Mile High Asian Food Week! Stay tuned!

February 2024 | President’s Note

This Valentine’s Day we bring an issue highlighting local Asian American bakers and their businesses. From beautiful high-end wedding cakes made by Duchess of Cameron to the artistic, custom cookies of Decadent Dough, Colorado is full of talented artists taking desserts to the next level! Check out our list of Asian bakeries on page 16. There are a lot of fun events this month and next including several Lunar New Year celebrations, the Friendship Cup (karate competition), and the Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival in March. On February 16, Small Island Big Song, a production that explores the cultural connections between the descendants of the seafarers of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, will be showing at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts. We welcome you to join for this one of a kind show!

ASIAN AVENUE TEAM Publisher & Founder CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO President ANNIE GUO VANDAN

IN THIS ISSUE 7 8

Editorial Director MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ Graphic Designer/Videographer LIJIN ZHAO

Web Designer JASON ZHANG Staff Writer JESSALYN LANGEVIN Staff Writer PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG

on the cover Founder of Duchess of Cameron, Grace “Grey” Pak uses her unique artistry and techniques to create beautiful wedding and special occasion cakes in Colorado and New York.

11 12

EVENT CALENDAR

UPCOMING EVENT: Longmont hosts Lunar New Year event to welcome Year of the Dragon with food and culture

UPCOMING EVENT: Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival will announce film line-up this month UPCOMING EVENT: Friendship Cup brings together karate community COVER STORY: Duchess of Cameron creates high-end cakes with unique artistry

Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 1932-1449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine.

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February 2024 | Table of Contents

20 22 23

COVER STORY: Local bakeries for special occasions or everyday treats SPOTLIGHT: Cindy Chang creates equitable environments for Denver ADVERTORIAL: Enjoy world-class Japanese scallops in Colorado CAFE PEEK: Tea Street opens second location in Parker, Colo. ON SCENE: FACC celebrates 70 years

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Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2

Chinese New Year Dinner Celebration

February 9-11, multiple shows

Saturday, Feb. 17 | Begins at 4:30pm

Boettcher Concert Hall 1000 14th St, Denver Tickets: $10 to $103 coloradosymphony.org

Empress Seafood Restaurant 2825 W Alameda Ave, Denver Tickets: $60 member, $65 nonmember $45 student (with ID), $35 child under 10 events.denversistercities.org/ chinese-new-year-2024

Eun Sun Kim, Music Director of the San Francisco Opera, is the first woman to serve as music director of one of America’s largest opera companies. In her Colorado Symphony debut, Kim leads the orchestra through Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto, one of the composer’s most youthful and vibrant compositions, featuring sublime musical conversation between Kim, the orchestra, and soloist Inon Barnatan. Claude Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun is a spellbinding opening to a weekend of orchestral beauty.

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with an evening of tradition and culture. Witness the majestic Lion Dance and indulge in a 10-Course Banquet reflecting the depth of Chinese culinary art. Supporting the John H. Yee Scholarship Fund, the silent auction proceeds will help students realize educational and cultural travel to Kunming.

Asian-Pacific Association of Longmont Lunar New Year Celebration Saturday, Feb. 24 | 2pm to 5pm Silver Creek High School 4901 Nelson Rd, Longmont Free and open to the public apalconnect.org

Live performances will feature the iconic Dragon Dance, ushering in prosperity and good luck for the new year. A fashion show will illustrate the historic influence of Chinese motifs, while K-Pop dancers blend the traditional with the modern, and Japanese taiko drumming, will drive away evil spirits. Children can enjoy interactive cultural and educational booths, robotics and virtual reality, and cultural games.

February Events Small Island Big Song Show Friday, Feb. 16 | 7:30pm to 9:30pm Newman Center for Performing Arts 2344 E Iliff Ave, Denver Tickets: $23 to $56 newmancenterpresents.com

Journey into the soul of the island nations of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, meeting an ancient seafaring ancestry and confronting the impacts of the climate crisis. Combining music, spoken word and live cinema, the experience is framed in a theatrical narrative with panoramic visuals of the artists’ homelands. Founded by Taiwanese producer and manager BaoBao Chen and Australian music producer and filmmaker Tim Cole in 2015, the two filmed with over a hundred musicians in nature across 16 island nations of the Pacific and Indian Oceans to explore the cultural connections of their descendants.

Friendship Cup 2024 Sunday, Feb. 18

University Of Denver, Hamilton Gymnasium 2240 Buchtel Blvd., Denver coloradobudokan.com

The 25th annual Friendship Cup is an open invitation, traditional karate tournament hosted by Colorado Budokan, a familyowned and operated traditional Shotokan school in South Denver. Karate is the Okinawan and Japanese tradition of empty-hand martial arts. At the Friendship Cup, athletes of all ages will compete in karate-specific events such as kata (forms), kumite (sparring) and kobudo (weapons) in divisions respective to their age and skill levels. The event brings together Colorado’s karate community in a friendly competition, while building camaraderie.

2-Day Ikenobo Workshop Feb. 26 and 27

Koelbel Library 5955 S Holly St, Centennial Tickets: $186 (includes materials) ikebanaikenobokado.com

Join this two-day workshop led by Visiting Professor Mz. Emiko Suzuki. Participate in a demonstration and Rikka Shofutai lesson with Spring Branches available. The professor will also lecture and demonstrate on making Shoka Shofutai. Lastly, a session on Freestyle Jiyuka which includes a demonstration will take place. Light snacks will be provided. Emiko Suzuki is Senior Professor at Ikenobo School of Ikebana headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. She taught ikebana to students of all ages for 13 years in Japan before she moved to Western North Carolina. Event Calendar | Asian Avenue Magazine

Date & Location: Saturday, February 24, 2pm to 5pm Silver Creek High School

LONGMONT GOES LUNAR

4901 Nelson Rd, Longmont, CO 80503

Asian-Pacific Association of Longmont (A-PAL) hosts 2024 Lunar New Year Celebration

Event is free and open to the public www.apalconnect.org Contact apalconnect@aol.com

By Alice Liu

Just when many in the Western world begin to abandon their New Year’s resolutions, people across Asia gather to usher in the Lunar New Year. In Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the year. Factories shut down, businesses close, and farmers’ fields lie fallow as two billion people travel thousands of miles to celebrate with loved ones. Unlike New Year’s Eve festivities which last one night, the Chinese Lunar New Year begins on the second new moon after the December 21st winter solstice, and ends fifteen days later on the first full moon of the lunar calendar. 2024 is the “Year of the Dragon,” signifying power, luck, and success. Lunar New Year customs date back thousands of years, and vary from country to country. In modern times, with Asian people spread around the globe, customs are reimagined to encompass the growing diversity within Asian culture. In June 2023, Governor

February 2024 | Upcoming Event

Jared Polis signed a bill declaring the Lunar New Year an official Colorado state holiday, recognizing the value of Asian-Americans in Colorado and their contribution to Colorado’s history. According to founder, Rita Liu, A-PAL’s mission is to introduce Asian culture to the public, and to create a convivial environment where Asian residents can contribute to their community while working with people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. With over 1,600 annual attendees representing over 90 cultural backgrounds, A-PAL’s Lunar New Year celebration is a true cooperative effort, promoting multiculturalism across multiple platforms. This year’s attendees will be immersed in a broad range of experiences such as ethnic music and dance. Children can participate in interactive cultural and educational booths, robotics and virtual reality, and cultural games. Live performances will feature the iconic Dragon Dance, one of the most

important Chinese Lunar New Year traditions, ushering in prosperity and good luck for the new year while driving away bad fortune. The lion dance team will follow up with a kung fu demonstration. A fashion show will illustrate the historic influence of Chinese motifs— known as chinoiserie—in Western culture, while K-Pop dancers will show why Korean culture has risen to the forefront of the global music stage. Indian Bollywood (a fusion of “Bombay” and “Hollywood”) dancing will blend the traditional with the modern, and Japanese taiko drumming, considered sacred since ancient times, will drive away evil spirits. For the gourmands in the audience, there will be Asian food sampling. A-PAL’s Lunar New Year is a collaborative effort with the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee, City of Longmont, St. Vrain Valley School District, Silver Creek Leadership Academy, and A-PAL’s many dedicated volunteers.

Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival returns with new line-up of films and community events Colorado Dragon Boat and Denver Film have announced the 9th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival, opening March 14 and running through March 17 at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave in Denver. Colorado Dragon Boat Film is proud to continue partnering with Denver Film as the only all Asian and Asian American film festival in Colorado. This year revolves around the theme “Connecting through Cultures: Art, Food, Cinema, & Beyond!” In addition to eight feature films, there will also be two short film showcases that highlight amazing films from the local community and student filmmakers. Both showcases will have Q&As with the filmmakers following the films. True to Colorado Dragon Boat fashion, a plethora of activities will offer also opportunities to participate in the festival. These include: an Asian marketplace on Saturday and a delicious culinary event on Sunday from 11AM – Noon. New this year, the organization will give the inaugural Golden Dragon Award to an important and up and coming actress in the community! Check out the festival’s lineup and details of this Golden Dragon Awardee at cdfilm.org. The festival starts with an Opening Night film and reception on Thursday, March 14. The reception begins at 6 p.m. and runs until the start of the film at 7 p.m. The festival will continue Friday through Sunday until the Closing Night film and reception on Sunday, March 17. Make sure to get tickets for both the Opening and Closing night films, as they are must-see films that will be accompanied by delicious food. On Saturday, March 16 from 10 to 11 a.m., Colorado Dragon Boat will host “Connecting Through Cultures with Asian American Adoptees,” a community conversation exploring the ways in which Asian American adoptees add texture to the dissonance they may encounter and honoring the multifaceted layers of their cultural journeys. Panelists are Déwi Sungai Marquis-Houston, Gene Rush, Lana JinYoung Beissel, with moderator Anna Eunjoo Ghublikian. On Sunday, March 17 from 10 - 11 a.m, Colorado Dragon Boat will host “Connecting Through Cultures with Food & Food Ways,” showcasing how food becomes a powerful vehicle for connection to one’s home culture. Attendees are encouraged

February 2024 | Upcoming Event

cdfilm.org

to participate and bring their own experiences to share. Come support the panelists Thai Nguyen of Kaizen Food Rescue, Patty Kaowthrumrong of 5280 Magazine, Chef Pannah Son, and moderator Cheshire Li! Another highlight is the Asian Marketplace featuring gifts, artwork, crafts and novelties from local AANHPI-owned businesses on Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the Sie FilmCenter lobby. Come see all of your favorite local marketplace vendors! Colorado Cocoa Pod, Maia Foods by Madhau, Hkcoshop, Jini Kimchi’s Art, Kap Kap Co., Soap Charmers, Akemi Tsutsu Kunitake Art, SASS Jewelry, and Art at CoArk. Back by popular demand! Aculinary experience and reception will take place in the Sie FilmCenter lobby on Sunday, March 17 at 11 a.m. Come try samples from our delicious food vendors; Kokoro, Sap Sua, Riceboxx Denver, Die Die Must Try, Sweet Rice Flour, Adobo. The festival is proud to partner with Mile High Asian Food Week for this mouth watering event! Get individual event/film tickets or full festival passes at cdfilm.org.

Colorado karate athletes compete in 25th annual Friendship Cup On Sunday, February 18, 2024, the Friendship Cup will be celebrating their silver anniversary! The Friendship Cup is an open invitation, traditional karate tournament hosted by Colorado Budokan, a family-owned and operated traditional Shotokan school in South Denver. Karate 空手 is the Okinawan and Japanese tradition of empty-hand martial arts. At the Friendship Cup, athletes of all ages will compete in karate-specific events such as kata (forms), kumite (sparring) and kobudo (weapons) in divisions respective to their age and skill levels. Friendship Cup Tournament Director and Head Instructor of Colorado Budokan, Isao Gary Tsutsui shares, “The Friendship Cup was established to promote karate-do [the

way of the empty hand] and to provide a venue to make new friends, to see old friends, to share technical knowledge, and of course, to engage in spirited competition.” As a former elite athlete (Sensei Tsutsui was the first American male to medal in individual kata competition at the World Karate Federation World Championships in 1977), founding member of USA Karate (the National Governing Body of sport karate) and long time practitioner, Sensei Tsutsui values the unique advantages of sport competition in the traditional pursuit of karate-do. While karate-do is a lifestyle, sport competition provides the practitioner with the opportunity to test their technique, knowledge and grace in a relatively high pressure

environment. Tournaments such as the Friendship Cup are also community events where folks can interact outside of their individual dojos (martial arts schools) and build camaraderie around a shared interest in karate. The first Friendship Cup was held in 1997 at Flood Middle School and has since changed locations and grown over the years, with its longest residency at Colorado School of Mines from 2003-2022. This year, karate athletes will convene at Hamilton Gymnasium in the Ritchie Center at the University of Denver for a full day of competition. This 25th year will be a memorable event for Colorado’s martial arts community and all are welcome to spectate!

Learn more about the Friendship Cup at coloradobudokan.com

Photo Credit: Brian Taylor

Upcoming Event | Asian Avenue Magazine

Duchess of Cameron:

Sculpting Sweet Elegance to Showcase Cake Artistry By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Cake artist Grace “Grey” Pak spends half the year in Colorado and half in New York. Her business, Duchess of Cameron, a bespoke cake studio specializing in hand-painted fine art cakes, gives her the flexibility of catering to clients in Aspen, Vail, and New York. “I take inspiration from the most influential eras of art history to create one-of-a-kind works of art,” said Pak, who is Korean American. Her designs range from delicate chinoiserie motifs adorned with hyper-realistic sugar flowers to intricate paintings reminiscent of Rococo frescoes. Elegant Confections Unveiling the Artistry of Unique Cake Designs A cake artist specializes in creating artistic and visually stunning cakes. They go beyond traditional cake baking and decorating, using their creativity and skills to design and craft unique and often elaborate cakes for special occasions. Cake artists may work on a variety of dessert types for weddings, birthdays, and milestones celebrations.

February 2024 | Cover Story

Education, Experience & Pivotal Moment of Change Trained as a fine artist, 36-yearold Pak, obtained a B.F.A. in Studio Art from New York University. Her craft allowed her to experiment with art forms focusing on phenomenology, the study of consciousness as part of first-hand experiences. “Only later did I realize that most of my experimental work included a common theme that resurfaced years later: food as an art medium,” she said. She spent nine years working as a web designer, including for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in e-commerce. She returned to graduate school to obtain a Master of Science in Neuroscience and Education from Columbia University in New York “to better understand the artists’ mind.” After graduation and working in a research lab, she experienced great loss in just a week’s time. Her grief and sorrow opened the doors to reflection and wondering about her passions. “I asked myself, ‘If I died tomorrow,

would I be able to say I died doing something I loved today? Sadly, the answer was no, and my mind shifted from thinking about happiness on a long-term basis to happiness on a day-to-day basis.” Focused and determined, Pak listed all her talents, likes, and wishes. She loves making things with her hands. She challenges herself by learning new skills. She desires helping other people elevate their memorable experiences. When she finalized this list, she signed up for culinary school. Then, two months later, she started her journey as a cake artist at Cake Techniques & Design at the International Culinary Center (formerly the French Culinary Institute in New York. She graduated with the Grand Diplôme with Distinction. Since graduating in 2017, Pak has paved a journey for herself of creating cakes labeled as true works of art. The work of a cake artist involves not only baking delicious desserts but also focusing on the aesthetic aspects of cake designs. This can include intricate fondant or but-

Grace “ G

k a P y” as the prettiest. “I get the best of both worlds and can cater to different types of weddings and clients this way!”

tercream decorations, sculpted cake figures, and creative use of colors and textures. Cake artists often collaborate with clients to understand their preference and themes for the event, ensuring that the final cake reflects the client’s vision. Why Colorado? She spends her time in New York during spring and fall, while she stays in Colorado during the winters and summers. Her husband grew up skiing in Colorado and it’s been a childhood dream to move to this mountain state. “When work became fully remote for him, it was the perfect time to make the partial move,” Pak said. “Coincidentally, Colorado and New York wedding seasons are the complete opposite because naturally, wedding seasons follow the best weather and seasons.” Pak observed that summers in New York is “pretty much dormant” in terms of weddings, whereas up in the mountains of Colorado, it’s the most popular season. It’s rare to hold a wedding in the mountains during the spring because of mud season, but New York embraces this season

Impressive Clients Her clients include wedding couples and luxury brands. She holds the distinction of Preferred Vendor at the prestigious St. Regis Hotel in New York. Notable clients included: Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Jean Paul Gaultier, Artist Jeff Koons, STARZ Network, United States Marine Corp, and Food Network. When the pandemic shut down the world in 2020, business halted for the Duchess of Cameron. A casting agent contacted her for the possi-

bility of filming her artistry. “I had no cake orders at the time and thought it would be an amazing experience to take a month filming for a show, creating cakes I would otherwise never think to make, and meeting other incredible cake artists from around the U.S.” So far, she’s appeared on nine shows across various networks. Sculpting Sweet Elegance: A Showcase of Unique Cake Artistry With versatility, her favorite tool is a fine-point Chinese calligraphy brush. This tool “has extremely delicate fine points that I am able to paint the most detailed, intricate designs on the cake,” she said. “I can paint broader strokes and everything in between.” When she’s not surrounded by desserts, she visits art museums. In New York, she will run inside a museum between client meetings. But if a museum isn’t nearby, she enjoys horseback riding, horror movies, dining at new restaurants and is a big fan of Formula One races. Experience Dining: Whimsical Elegance: A Journey into the World of Unique Cake Designs Her favorite chefs include Thomas Keller of Per Se in New York and Jordi Cruz of ABaC in Barcelona, who push the boundaries of what food and dining can be and really create and experience for their diners. “I am fascinated by the innovative way they present the food, taking into Duchess of Cameron | Asian Avenue Magazine

heavy consideration of design, color, composition, and combination,” she said. “I truly admire these two chefs for their innovation and experiments in dining.” The field of cake artistry has gained popularity in recent years, with cake artists showcasing their creations on social media platforms. Many cake artists also participate in competitions and events to showcase their skills and gain recognitions for their uniqueness and innovation. She hopes to see showcasing cakes in a museum exhibition where it will be viewed as fine art and not just a dessert. “Cake art is so inter-

February 2024 | Cover Story

esting in that unlike other fine art mediums, this art is meant to be and was created to be destroyed (i.e. sliced and consumed). The ephemeral nature adds a fascinating layer to the art, and while there are other types of art that are similar in nature, like performance art, those art forms rarely end with active destruction.” Cake Therapy With mental health awareness becoming a prevalent issue in today’s times, Pak is finding ways on the positive aspects of cake decorating, promoting creativity, and insight in daily life. She is working closely with

licensed creative arts therapists and nonprofits to continually improve and develop art therapy program in innovative ways. “I’ve found using cake as a medium offered numerous advantages when compared to solely using conventional art mediums, as it utilizes multi-sensory experiences to provide therapeutic effects,” she said. “I am currently in the process of creating a creative arts expression program using this method to bring to Denver.” To connect with Grace “Grey” Pak or to see her cakes, follow Duchess of Cameron on Instagram @duchessofcameron.

Decadent Dough wins the Cookie Challenge

Last November, Denver resident Anh Phan competed on the Christmas Cookie Challenge against three best cookie makers in the U.S., appearing on Food Network. And she won the entire competition! As the head of Decadent Dough, she calls herself a cookie dealer, Baking shows have gained widespread popularity for several reasons. Viewers are often fascinated by the intricate designs, unique flavor combinations, and innovative techniques used by contestants. The creativity involved in baking can inspire and captivate audiences. But this baking competition winner did not start her career in baking. She started in the fashion industry and was a lingerie designer for her own company called Wolfsbane Intimates. “It was a dream come true for several years until I started feeling burnt out,” she said. “During my break, I decided that I needed a creative outlet that would scratch my creative itch and discovered decorated sugar cookies.” That’s when she shut down Wolfsbane and created Decadent Dough. With YouBy Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Tube videos and blog articles, she taught herself cookie decorating and found it relaxing. “I remember thinking it looked so relaxing to pipe and create beautiful works of sugar art,” she said. She also finds inspirations from celebrity bakers Rosanna Pansino and Duff Goldman. Her creativity comes from discussions with clients and initial sketches. “I strive to add at least one design that isn’t commonly seen in sugar art,” Phan said. “I love incorporating different techniques to bring the story and theme to life.” As a daughter of Vietnamese parents, she shared her favorite creations are a special set of Lunar New Year cookies she creates for her parents each year since 2009, the year of the water buffalo. “I love to challenge myself to create new and interesting designs that are then preserved and placed in a shadow box and hung up at my parents’ house,” she said. “The goal is to create all 12 animals without missing one year!” When she is not in the kitchen, she travels all over the world. In fact, in the last six months, she visited Paris, Mallorca, Barcelona, Nebraska, Rivera Maya, and Oahu. But in 2024, she will focus her time on wedding planning and expanding her cookie business to offer private cookie decorating classes, allowing the client to pick a theme. Connect with Phan or follow her cookie art on Instagram @decadent_dough.

Anh Phan wins the Christmas Cookie Challenge in November 2023

Decadent Dough | Asian Avenue Magazine

Baking Bliss in the Rockies: Pastry Paradises Asian bakeries and dessert makers in Colorado play a crucial role in adding a unique and delightful touch to Valentine’s Day celebrations. These decadent spots offer a diverse array of delectable treats that go beyond traditional Western confections, providing couples, families, and loved ones with an opportunity to explore and share new flavors on this special day. Asian bakeries are renowned for their artistic and innovative approach to pastry and dessert creation. From intricately designed cakes to delicate pastries, these bakeries infuse cultural influences into their creations, making Valentine’s Day celebrations not only sweet but also culturally enriching. Whether it’s the delicate texture of Japanese mochi, the

aromatic richness of Chinese egg tarts, or the fluffy goodness of Filipino ensaymada, Asian bakeries offer a wide range of options to satisfy every palate under the Pan Asian umbrella. Moreover, the emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship in Asian bakeries and for Asian bakers ensures that each bite is a delightful experience. Anyone, not just couples, can express their love through the act of sharing these unique and delicious treats, creating memorable moments that go beyond the ordinary. The importance of these treats lies not just in satisfying sweet cravings but in fostering a connection through shared experiences and the exploration of diverse, mouthwatering flavors. Here’s a list of some of the Asian bakeries and dessert makers in the area to check out for Valentine’s Day goodies to share:

Name

Address

Website

Social Feeds

Banh & Butter Bakery Café

9935 E Colfax Ave, Aurora

banhandbutter.com

instagram.com/ banhbutterbakerycafe

Cakeheads Bakery

7530 S University Blvd #150, Centennial

cakeheadsbakery.com

instagram.com/cakeheads_bakery

Colorado Cocoa Pod

Available for shipping or local area pop-up events

coloradococoapod.com

instagram.com/coloradococoapod

Decadent Dough

Available for custom orders

mycustombakes.com/ decadentdough

instagram.com/decadent_dough

The Enchanted Oven

520 Zang St. Suite M, Broomfield

theenchantedoven.cafe

instagram.com/the_enchanted_ oven_bakery

Jada’s Mochi Donuts

Available for delivery or pick-up orders in Aurora

jadasmochidonuts.com

instagram.com/jadasmochidonuts

La Petite Bakery

2200 W Alameda Ave #36, Denver

Mini Me Pastry Shop

Available for pick-up orders at 3465 S Gaylord Ct, Englewood

minimepastry.com

instagram.com/minimepastry

New Saigon Bakery

640 S Federal Blvd, Denver

newsaigonbakery.com

instagram.com/newsaigonbakery

Paris Baguette Bakery

10601 E Garden Dr #105, Aurora

parisbaguette.com

instagram.com/parisbaguette_usa

Pony M Cake

4800 Baseline Rd Ste A109, Boulder

ponymcake.com

instagram.com/ponymcake

Sweet Rice Flour

Available for delivery or pick-up orders at in Aurora

sweetriceflour.com

instagram.com/sweetriceflourllc

Taeko-San Takeout

Available for delivery or at local area pop-up events

Tokyo Premium Bakery

1540 S Pearl St, Denver

tokyopremiumbakery.com

instagram.com/ tokyopremiumbakery

Tous Les Jours

Locations in Aurora, Thornton, and Westminster

tljus.com

instagram.com/touslesjoursco

Ube Cakes Bake Shop

Pre-orders available for pick-up

instagram.com/ubecakesbakeshop

Vinh Xuong Bakery

Two locations in Denver

instagram.com/vinhxuongbakery

February 2024 | Cover Story

yelp.com/biz/la-petite-bakerydenver-2

instagram.com/taeko_san_takeout

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

As the executive director of Groundwork Denver, Cindy Chang is a dynamic and visionary leader dedicated to advancing sustainable practices within en-

Cindy Chang builds through her l

Q&A

ergy efficiency. With background in environment and social justice, along with a passion for driving change, Chang brings a wealth of expertise to the role.

Chang has shown a track record of successful-

ly implementing and overseeing energy efficiency programs that make a tangible impact on commu-

nities and the environment. Her strategic approach involves collaborating with diverse stakeholders to create comprehensive initiatives that promote energy conservation and reduce carbon footprints.

Having held key positions at Groundwork Denver as a volunteer board member, staff and current executive director, Chang possesses a deep understanding of the intersection between environmental advo-

cacy, community engagement, and fundraising. She leverages this knowledge to navigate the complex landscape of sustainable energy solutions, ensuring that the nonprofit’s initiatives align with both environmental goals and social impact. In her role as executive director, Chang inspires and leads her team with a vision that extends beyond immediate goals to contribute to a legacy of environmental stewardship and energy efficiency advocate. Her commitment to create positive change positions her as a driving force in the nonprofit sector’s efforts to address global energy challenges.

February 2024 | Spotlight

What is your role and responsibilities at Groundwork Denver? I have been the Executive Director of Groundwork Denver since 2018. Before that, I was a volunteer, board member, and staff in another role at Groundwork Denver since I moved to Denver in 2009! I am responsible for the overall strategy of our organization, making sure we are meeting our mission of partnering with youth and communities to build a healthy, equitable, and sustainable environment. I support our staff who are running programs and raising money for our work, and our board of directors who are responsible for overseeing the financial health of the organization. I love that I get to interact with all members of our community – from youth and residents, to our program partners, funders, government representatives, staff, and board. How did you begin a career in environmental justice? After college, I knew I wanted to direct my career to the environment and social justice, but I wasn’t sure how. My first full-time job out of college was for a national environmental organization

Stephanie Tanny, Cindy Chang and Patrick Walton at an Environmental Learning for Kids event

s healthy and sustainable environments leadership at Groundwork Denver in their fundraising department. This exposed me to how I could support these issues I cared about from the back office, which ended up suiting my skills and interests. After that, I went to grad school to get my Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Environmental Management. I moved to Denver after graduating, but unfortunately it was during the Great Recession. I said yes to every interview, project, and volunteer activity that came across my path and expanded my network quickly. I am grateful for all those people further into their career who met with me and gave me advice. I try to do the same now with anyone earlier in their career who reaches out. What’s the best and hardest parts of your job? The best part of my job is, handsdown, getting to work with our youth and community members. It is the reason I go to work every day. The hardest parts of the job are raising enough funds for the huge amount of work we want to do and know needs to get done in our com-

munity. We aim to be responsive to community needs, but only when we have enough financial and people resources can we be nimble enough to do so. What is it like to be an an Asian-American woman leader in the energy sector? I can only speak to my experience, but statistics back me up in showing that there are not a lot of female Asian-Americans in our industry. Like others with similar backgrounds to me, I have experienced my share of both overt racism and sexism and microaggressions in this country, and I do my best not to give hate and fear any of my energy. I am grateful to the Asian-American leaders and activists that came before me that paved a near-impossible path of success and fulfillment in the United States despite decades of bigotry, discrimination, and hate. Immigrants, such as my parents, are resilient, creative, and tenacious. I aim to be a model of leadership for younger generations and balance the values we learn from our elders with our need for self-actualization.

What advice would you give to high school and college students curious about your industry? There are a million pathways to your dream job and career. Don’t turn away opportunities just because they don’t “fit” the standard path. Take some lessons away from every opportunity you have – whether it’s a volunteer day, a part-time gig or internship, or a student club. In the end, all of your experiences will build on each other, and you never know what is going to spark your passion. What are your hobbies outside of work? We have a new dog that takes a lot of our family’s time! I love being outside and exploring Colorado’s infinite places of beauty and nature. I love supporting other non-profit organizations in metro Denver that are making our community a better place. Lastly, I spend a lot of time thinking about food – where it comes from, how to grow and cook it, and what I’ll eat next! Learn about Groundwork Denver at groundworkcolorado.org.

Cindy Chang | Asian Avenue Magazine

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February 2024 | Advertorial

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Tea Street to Open Second Location in Parker The family-owned bubble tea shop’s newest location features a dumpling showroom that offers dumplings with 360 degree crisp.

Tea Street is adding a second location in Parker (16522 Keystone Blvd, Parker, CO 80134) with an anticipated grand opening in spring or summer of 2024. Patrick and Victoria Lam, co-owners of the family-owned bubble tea shop who recently celebrated five years in business at their Glendale location last December, began looking for a second space over a year ago. With Tea Street’s large following of commuters who often drive near and far to enjoy the tea shop’s tasty creations, the Lam siblings looked to Parker to provide products for those south of Denver. Guests at Tea Street Parker will be able to enjoy the same offerings as the flagship location, such as classically inspired drinks with a modern twist and premium loose-leaf tea sourced directly from Taiwan as well as treats from Sweet Rice Flour, a baker specializing in choux pastry, mille crepe cake and

February 2024 | Cafe Peek

Southeast Asian desserts. However, Tea Street Parker uniquely showcases a dumpling showroom where guests can watch a dumpling machine output approximately 1,000 dumplings per hour behind glass. “The dumpling showroom is an area where our guests can watch all the behind-the-scenes action that’s similar to watching xiao long bao (soup dumplings) being made at Din Tai Fung or a Krispy Kreme machine churning out donuts,” says Tea Street Co-Owner Victoria Lam. The machine prepares the dough, mixes the filling, which is created by Tea Street, and folds the dumplings into a long and thin shape, like a small taquito. The dumplings can be served steamed or pan-fried; the latter achieves a perfect 360 crisp when placed into a custom fryer so that the result is crispy all around. The 2,200 square foot space in Park-

er will have a kitchen, walk-up counter service as well as a dining area. The Lams worked with niamdesign to lean into the aesthetics of traditional tea shops by incorporating Chinese architecture with modern design woven in. Wood tones are balanced by circles, which represent heaven, and straight lines, representative of earth; the amalgamation is a space that harmoniously showcases the existence of the two, blending traditional items like a tea ceremony table with modern pieces like hanging LED signs and the dumpling showroom. The grand opening for Tea Street Parker will be announced at a later time. “We hope our guests feel peace when entering Tea Street Parker. Brewing, smelling, and drinking tea evokes feelings of calm, relaxation, rejuvenation, and comfort,” says Lam. We can’t wait to join the Parker community and grow our second home here!”

Filipino American Community celebrates 70 years in Colorado On January 27, the Filipino-American Community of Colorado (FACC) celebrated a significant milestone at the King Center at Auraria Campus in Denver with the local community. The 70th anniversary celebration featured a captivating cultural dance production, showcasing the talents of FACC’s Cultural Dance Group and San Francisco’s Parangal ensemble, highlighting the rich tapestry of Filipino traditions. In 1954, against the backdrop of glob-

al change and challenges, the FACC was born. The FACC emerged during a period of segregation and unrest, embodying values of compassion and collaboration. 70 years later, their mission is clear: to honor their heritage, impact Denver through service and engagement, and provide a welcoming space for Filipinos and all who value diversity, equity, and inclusion. With this celebratory event, the organization leaders and members reflect-

ed on their rich history, marked by resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to cultural excellence. Today, the FACC proudly stands as a symbol of Filipino pride and unity, transcending borders and embracing diversity. After the dance performance, guests moved to the Tivoli Turnhalle to enjoy dinner and conversation. Connect with FACC on Instagram @coloradofilipinos or learn more about at colorado-filipinos.org.

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On Scene | Asian Avenue Magazine