Asian Foodie: What I learned from organizing a popular meetup
All smiles and having fun!
Upon moving back to the Twin Cities of Minnesota from 2012-2017, I arrived without a job, professional network, or a large group of close-knit friends.
It became apparent---very fast---that I had to take the initiative if I wanted to make life-long friends who I could attend cultural events with, eat out at restaurants and create Minnesota memories together.
So, not long after I arrived, I logged onto my laptop and came across Meetup.com, a platform that allows anyone to create interest group meetings.
Meetup.com
Since I had traveled overseas to Asia previously I, naturally, wanted to create a unique group sharing a similar affinity as well as food: Asian Foodies was born.
May, 2016: Anthony Bourdain invited President Obama to a meal in Hanoi, Vietnam
2018: Eating at the very same restaurant as Bourdain and Obama
The last Friday of every month I would organize a group Chinese dinner and, occasionally, a community cultural arts event to attend.
I usually chose our meetings at the same 2-3 Asian restaurants and opted for Chinese the most because Szechuan Spice in Minneapolis (now closed) that we frequented had round tables which facilitated conversation easily.
Traditional Chinese restaurants eat family style on round tables
Generally, I would book a table for 10, and on busy nights, had 3 tables reserved.
For the few years that I ran it, Asian Foodies was so popular that a waitlist was necessary.
Here are a few of my takeaways:
People are social human beings, craving connectedness and friendship.
Having a monthly event was always a motivator to look forward to finishing the work week.
Good food and conversation are great ways to bring people together.
My meetup helped me feel a part of a community, a feeling of belonging.
I was able to focus on relationships, the true meaning of life.
Being part of a community, having friends, and sharing laughter over meals were some of the attributes that came from my initiative.
These dinner gatherings turned into grabbing late night drinks in Uptown, summer picnics, volleyball and BBQ at the park, hot pot and potlucks at friends, an eating trip to Chicago, attending a member's California wedding, and a weekend in Las Vegas.
Though the Asian Foodies chapter is long gone, my close-knit circle of friends continue to stay in touch even though now most are scattered across the US away from Minnesota, including myself.
Half have started families and moved on with life and careers.
If you ever have aspirations in creating your own interest group, I highly recommend it!
It will be life-changing!
