THE MENU

New Jersey Performing Arts Center: AAPI Trailblazers

Fri, 29 May 2026 16:09:21 GMT

Beyond the panel and into the reception

Earlier this month, I was presented with the opportunity to attend and photograph the AAPI Trailblazers event at NJPAC. It was my first time attending, let alone photographing, an event like this, so I went in with some uncertainty.

Going into the panel, I expected mostly basic, superficial discussions, but instead, panelists shared about how their identities as members of the AAPI community shaped their experiences, opportunities, and challenges in their work. The diversity of the panel allowed me to hear about so many different perspectives and experiences.

I've had time to reflect on my experience, and I've realized that I still have some skills to build when it comes to photographing professional events. I definitely didn't fully grasp what I was walking into, but I'm excited to use what I've learned in my future experiences.

Small Is Beautiful

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 21:44:49 GMT

IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE A COG

1 in 8 Americans receive SNAP benefits to stave off hunger. With the tap being turned off, then somewhat on, and then every state in between, there remains the fact that our neighbors face potential starvation.

Melina Macall answered the call by leveraging her business, Boxed Organics , to donate food to the MEND Hunger Relief Network . She reached out to her farm contacts to source heavily discounted produce. And she reached out to us to provide boxes of vegetarian dumplings! Altogether, 24 bags of fresh produce and 24 boxes of dumplings went out to MEND today.

Melina plans two more donations to MEND, on December 5th and December 19th. If you're interested in supporting this effort, consider contributing to this effort via the Boxed Organics Venmo with a note indicating the funds are for food donations. We will be donating dumplings on both dates.

It really is quite lovely to be a cog.

The Battle of Versailles

nancy.loo@dumplingdiplomacy.com (Nancy L) — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 15:34:34 GMT

A POTSTICKER WORKSHOP THAT LED TO A FASHION SHOW

In the spring of 2024, we created a dumpling workshop to teach English learners and their teens to make Chinese dumplings for charity. Our interns conducted this session in Spanish.

It was a success. So much so, the attending students from El Club de Sabor at Metuchen High School gifted us their class money to create another event. Which got us thinking about a bilingual fashion show featuring Oscar de la Renta and centered on the 1973 Battle of Versailles. Over 50 years ago, this seminal fashion competition broke the barrier for models of color. de la Renta was one of the designers representing the American side.

Serendipitously, lunch with Maurice from the Montclair Public Library revealed that he was also contemplating a program on the Battle of Versailles. We decided to join forces. First, Dumpling Diplomacy reached out to the Essex County Schools of Technology. Which led to:

The library added:

Hipolito Pollantis, Dominican American fashion designer and Norma Jean Darden, one of the original models from 1973.

"Versailles '73,"

the documentary

We raised them:

Dominican American MC Wendy Tiburcio, musicians, and yucca fritters

On April 28, 2025, everything culminated in: "Oscar de la Renta: A Dominican American in Versailles."

And that is the story of how a dumpling workshop led to a fashion show.

Small acts can lead to a universe of possibilities. Developing creative programming with lasting outcomes is our specialty. Ready to start a chain reaction ?

Muscle Memory

nancy.loo@dumplingdiplomacy.com (Nancy L) — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 20:21:57 GMT

HOW TO FOLD A PERFECT TOISAN DUMPLING

When Ginny volunteered for Dumpling Day of Service, she also volunteered that she hadn’t made dumplings in a very long time. And that she wasn’t very good at it. So, she began by watching us making the very simplest dumplings and following along. She made many regular dumplings while chatting with her daughter and the rest of the group.

Gradually, her folds started to veer off in a different direction. And her hands produced these in rapid succession:

Her grandson and the rest of the group tried to copy her dumplings, but not one of the others came close to her elegant perfection. For although Ginny hadn’t made these dumplings in decades, she had made thousands of them as a child with her grandmother back in China. Five generations of her family along with the rest of the volunteers connected through her dumplings.

A marvelous Sunday indeed.

A Dumpling Card Journey

nancy.loo@dumplingdiplomacy.com (Nancy L) — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:28:30 GMT

A VISIT TO TONI'S KITCHEN

Card created by Alex in Florham Park, NJ. Thanks, Alex! Video by L3. Photos by Elisa.

Each box of dumplings that go out to the food insecure is adorned with a one-of-a-kind, custom card. Want to make some cards ?

Every wonder what happens during Dumpling Day of Service ? Follow this supercharged dumpling superhero into Toni's Kitchen ...