by Sahana C. and Piyali C.

As the days get ever longer, and late spring graces us with sunshine and the promise of summer, celebrating the vibrant, colorful nature of Asian American culture aligns with the spirit of the season. At the library, we love to explore and learn through stories, whether they come to us in book form or from community knowledge, through crafts, cooking, and artwork. Take an adventure through a story to explore Asian American and Pacific Island cultures with us.

Taste the Tradition: Exploring Asian Cuisine with Jet Tila

Tue, May 21 | 7 – 8 pm
online
To receive the Zoom link, register here.

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with an unforgettable evening featuring celebrity chef Jet Tila. He shares his personal story, culinary insights, and favorite recipes. From traditional flavors to modern twists, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Asian cuisine and culture.

A bestselling author, Tila has been nominated for Emmy and James Beard awards. His cookbooks include 101 Asian Dishes You Need To Cook Before You Die (also available as an e-book) and 101 Thai Dishes You Need To Cook Before You Die (also available in e-book format). He grew up in the first family of Thai food, then attended both French and Japanese culinary school. A born educator and storyteller, he was appointed as the inaugural Culinary Ambassador of Thai cuisine by the Royal Thai Consulate, the first-ever chef to represent his country’s culture and cuisine.

He appears as a host, co-host, judge, and competitor on many Food Network shows, such as Tournament of Champions, Iron Chef America, Cutthroat Kitchen, Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, and Guy’s Grocery Games. He also holds six culinary Guinness World Records.

International Grocery Store Tour: Shopping for Chef Jet Tila’s Cooking Demonstration

Mon, May 20 | 4 – 5 pm
Meets at H-Mart (3301 North Ridge Rd., Ellicott City)
Adults, plus teens with adults.
Register here.

Want to cook one of Jet Tila’s recipes? Shop for all the right ingredients at the local H-Mart with a knowledgeable guide. Discover the perfect fresh and frozen items to cook like a chef. The tour is not required to attend Chef Jet Tila’s online cooking event.

To escape in a book, join one of our many book discussion groups around the system. If book discussion groups are your thing, we’ll be reading across Asia this month:

Between the Lines, hosted at Brewing Good in the Savage Mill, reads and discusses Parini Shroff’s The Bandit Queens and celebrates India on May 17.

On May 20, the Asian American Literature Book Club reads Mott Street by Ava Chin, which explores the time around the Chinese Exclusion Act.

In Other Worlds, a science fiction book club, meets on May 27, in person and online, to talk about Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao, a futuristic novel that has close ties to East Asian history.

If anime or manga suits you, make sure to check out our anime clubs at HCLS Savage Branch. The Advanced Anime Association for adults meets on June 6, and Anime & Game Hangout for teens meets on May 7 and May 21.

Drop in and make a craft on May 14 from 11 am to 12 pm and from 2 to 3 pm at HCLS Miller Branch, inspired by AAPI artwork.

If you’re a foodie and want to experience the world through food, check out the first of our potluck style Recipe Exchanges on May 25 at Savage Branch, where we’ll talk about dumplings and noodle dishes across Asia and enjoy some as snacks.

As we get close to summer reading and celebrate Global Adventures, head to the library to make a start, traveling across Asia from our own backyards!

View the full listing of AAPI-related classes here.

Sahana is an Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Savage Branch. They enjoy adding books to their “want to read” list despite having a mountain of books waiting for them already.

Piyali is an instructor and research specialist at HCLS Miller Branch, where she facilitates Light But Not Fluffy and co-facilitates Global Reads. She keeps the hope alive that someday she will reach the bottom of her to-read list.