Chef Chu's 55th Anniversary Banquet Benefits Chinese Health Initiative
“I can’t sing but I can cook. That is what I can give,” Chef Chu said, when he explained why he was hosting a lavish banquet to benefit Chinese Health Initiative (CHI) in celebration of his restaurant’s 55th anniversary. One hundred CHI supporters and Chef Chu admirers attended the special event, which took place in the restaurant’s festively decorated second floor private dining room on February 2. Many wore red in honor of Lunar New Year.
El Camino Health CEO Dan Woods welcomed everyone and acknowledged Chef Chu’s ongoing support for El Camino Health and Chinese Health Initiative, noting the restaurant had provided hundreds of meals for hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chef Lawrence Chu beamed as he took the microphone and wished everyone “gung hay fat choy,” a happy New Year. Proud to celebrate his legendary restaurant’s milestone and the 55 years of hard work that led to its success, he explained the secret: Treasure your customers, treat staff well, give back to community, and remember family is everything. He talked about the 10 poetically named dishes on the special menu, which included traditional foods for Lunar New Year. Then he circulated among the tables making everyone feel welcome and appreciated throughout the evening.
The parade of dishes, which were served family style on a lazy Susan at each table, began. Happy guests dug into the Seven Stars hot and cold appetizer platter, “Happy All the Way to the Bank” shrimp and endive served in martini glasses, double boiled double mushroom with double chicken soup, grilled boneless quail with watercress salad, and twin Maine lobster with sea gems.
The diners paused to hear from Chinese Health Initiative Manager Jean Yu, who described the community health program’s accomplishments over the past 15 years to address disparities in health outcomes and access. She announced the latest step forward, the publication of a trilingual digital Guide to Emotional Well-Being, which includes explanations of common mental health issues, information about finding Chinese-speaking care providers and support groups, and practical tips. “Your involvement and generosity allow us to expand our programs and develop new services that directly address the needs of our community,” she said. Guests who donated that night received a gift of Dahlkemper Farms artisanal extra virgin olive oil donated by Chinese Health Initiative Advisory Board member River Lu and her husband Andrew Dahlkemper.
The banquet continued with courses of basil beef steak, mixed garden green vegetables for the soul, steamed New Year special rice, and sweet sour whole fish. Guests left happy and sated, proud to support Chinese Health Initiative and celebrate Chef Lawrence Chu.
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