(Pictured above- Dina Yuen (aka AsianFusionGirl), Mayor Jean Quan and OCCC Board Member Steven Lee)

Oakland Chinatown Spring Banquet 2013

On April 24, 2013, the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce celebrated their Spring Banquet with local bay area celebrities including keynote speaker Chef MartinYan, master of ceremonies Dana King, and attendees Mayor Jean Quan and Senator Leland Yee.

Speakers touched upon the history of the Chinese community in Oakland as well as the strengthening of local business in the area. Chef Martin Yan delivered a classically humorous speech that elicited fifteen minutes of laughter from the 300+ audience, mentioning several times how he uses the port of Oakland to import and export his merchandise. Mayor Jean Quan made an impromptu speech about her love of Oakland and her faith in the revival efforts of certain regions of the city.

Peony Restaurant was the venue of this year’s banquet- a local favorite serving up an 8 course meal that included Peking Duck two ways, Crispy Roast Chicken, Bittermelon Soup and Red Bean Paste Sesame Balls. The eclectic guest list included politicians, attorneys, physicians, television hosts, small business owners, corporate executives and chefs, the majority of which were Chinese.