A conversation with owners of three legacy food business owners is held in Little Tokyo.
By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
RAFU STAFF WRITER
The Los Angeles chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association hosted an intimate conversation on Aug. 29, featuring three proprietors of pioneering legacy food businesses in Southern California.
“Taste and Tell: AAPI Food Pioneers, Journalism and Community” was held at the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo, and the dozens of community friends and guests were treated to the stories and insights of Brian Kito of Fugetsu-Do, Kathy Chan Ceppi of Phoenix Bakery, and Wing Lam, founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco.
Moderated by Fox 11 news anchor Susan Hirasuna, the trio also shared thoughts on the constantly evolving economic landscape for the food service industry, particularly recent sharp rises in operating costs and what a fast-approaching automated future might hold in store.
“In Los Angeles, if you have a good business, people will drive to come and see you,” said Ceppi, the second-generation owner of Phoenix Bakery, the Chinatown institution that is celebrating 88 years in business. She explained that her shop’s famous strawberry cake was the invention of h...