It's hot, I've been away, my computer only works when the charger is attached, my left shoulder's been killing me for weeks, and I've just overall been running running running. And maybe have been somewhat cranky at times. But mostly happy-go-lucky. (Did you catch that movie, by the way? I really enjoyed it. Poppy's great.)
I've also been hapa-go-lucky (gotta love when that works out).
I can hardly remember how I first heard about Hapa Kitchen -- possibly on Facebook? **To find out what hapas are and more about the cooking collective, click the above link and search around. Also read this from co-founder Cathy Erway.**
I think I may have emailed the ever-increasingly-prolific writer Cathy about it after the Bacon Takedown and she responded asking if I'd be interested in helping with a May Day dinner at the Queens County Farm Museum. That was back in late April -- I met hapas Akiko, Lia, Tom, Keith, Brian, and Laurel that night, along with a host of other fun people and the May 1st dinner was a heartwarming success. Hard work, but time and effort well spent.
Since then I've helped out at the Hapa 'Cue at BKLYN Yard, missed an incredible "Paris of the East" dinner in Fort Greene, brought some mini kimchi pancakes to a rooftop Hapas Tapas gathering, and helped assemble a winning dish at the Local Grill-off at Water Taxi Beach.
All tons of fun, with seriously incredible food and beverages, and awesome people.
Here's a shot of a few of us throwing up the cheesy Asian photo sign after serving hundreds upon hundreds at the Hapa 'Cue. (By the way, Akiko takes the best photographs ever, her expressions and body language are priceless.)
Check out loads more photos of hapas and Hapa Kitchen's events here. (I still need to upload a few photos to the flickr pool.) And read the links above -- some great write-ups.
Next up: an event at a senator's house later this week and a South Asian/Caribbean meal and a luau later this summer. I promise to report back, no matter how busy I get.
Sidenote: my CSA's been going strong and I'm loving all of my fresh veggies (and now fruit!) and herbs. Will post more recipes very soon!
