On May 29 at Counter Culture Training Center, a mix of Charleston-based AAPI Heritage chefs, makers and creatives will collaborate for a special class and dinner experience in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This event features Korean and Filipino cuisine by Sarah’s Dumps and Bok Choy Boy from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It’s a limited 14 seat event, priced at $150 per ticket.
”It’s important to collaborate and do something together where multiple people can be involved and garner the attention, follow and really showcase their stories and art — whatever form that comes in,” said Sarah Williams-Scalise, co-founder of Sarah’s Dumps.
Williams-Scalise grew up in upstate New York but was originally adopted from South Korea in 1988. She recalls childhood memories attending Korean culture camps where she had her first taste of mandu (Korean dumplings) and thought to herself, “these are amazing.”
In 2019, she and her husband Nate launched Sarah’s Dumps to share that wow-factor with the rest of the Charleston community.
“We wanted to connect with the community in a very different way,” Williams-Scalise said. “Kind of like Korean culture camp all over again.”
They started hosting monthly classes and pop-ups for people to taste (literally) what Sarah’s Dumps is all about. Sharing a piece of her Korean heritage through her dumplings, she recognized a scene of AAPI small-business owners who had a story to tell, too.
What to look forward to
Entering through the bar area, you’ll prepare your own beverages (BYOB) and enjoy a snack to settle in at the May 29 event. Sarah’s Dumps, along with Bok Choy Boy owner Setrini Sinson and founder of Studio Sontosis & Floral Studies Sonny Sisan, will greet the room by sharing their personal heritage story and how it inspired their businesses. Guests will move to the dining area and find a comfortable seat at a beautifully arranged and lit table with plates and floral designs by Sisan. The evening will be captured through the lens of photographer Laura Saur.
Learn the art of hand-wrapping pork and beef mandu with Williams-Scalise, followed by a lesson in rolling and pinching siopao with Stinson. Accompany your creations with additional sides and save room for a surprise Life Raft Treat ice cream by Cynthia Wong.
“We want to foster conversation within more of an intimate setting,” Williams-Scalise said. “Hopefully people that come have stories they’re willing to share, are open to connecting with everyone in the room and come face to face with AAPI Heritage, whether that’s their personal experience or questions they have for us.”
She anticipates “a good mixture of flavors, textures and personalities.”
Tickets include a pair of stainless steel chopsticks, a small rolling pin, a handmade cup and follow-up email containing recipes from the class.
For more information and tickets, visit online at Sarah’s Dumps.
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