Rising Chef Series 2024

This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) hosts the return of its celebrated “Rising Chef Series,” a dinner pop-up series convening three emerging Asian American chefs in a month-long celebration of food, culture and the spirit of innovation.

Taking place within the JACCC’s Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center (TWCCC), which brought us acclaimed culinary residencies such as Hansei and n/soto, the series will feature innovative pop-up restaurant concepts inspired by the Asian American identities and experiences of Chefs H Woo (@hwoo.lee) , Deb Min (@debisushi), and Peter Duong (@pete_eatss).

Each week will introduce a new immersive dinner experience within the JACCC’s James Irvine Japanese Garden and include a 5-course pre-fixe menu inspired by each Chef’s cultural heritage, alongside signature House of Suntory cocktail pairings and more.

Each week we will open our doors to the public for 4 exclusive seatings! There are only 22* spaces available per seating and reservations are required. Each seating limited to 90 minutes. This is a 21+ event. Please no walk-ins.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to fund culinary innovation and entrepreneurship, including support for TWCCC’s Culinary Arts Program, which empowers aspiring chefs with a space to share their stories, techniques, and innovations

Each week we will open our doors to the public for 4 exclusive seatings! There are only 22 spaces available per seating and reservations are required. Each seating limited to 90 minutes. Please no walk-ins, this is a 21+ experience.

*Please carefully review the ticket date & time before purchasing tickets. All ticket titles have an allocated date and time slot and are valid for that period only. In your order confirmation email, you can find your dining session in the "Order Summary" section. Tickets may not be refunded or exchanged, are non-transferable to other dining sessions, nor may they be resold. For any ticketing questions, contact [email protected]

Tuesday Seating Times:

• 5:30 PM
• 8:00 PM

Wednesday Seating Times:

• 5:30 PM
• 8:00 PM

Please check-in at our host stand located by the front doors of JACCC. Once you have confirmed your reservation with our host, your party will be escorted to the Japanese garden lounge for a welcome cocktail. Guests are encouraged to come early and enjoy a special welcome cocktail in the Japanese garden lounge.

Please check-in at our host stand located by the front doors of JACCC. Once you have confirmed your reservation with our host, your party will be escorted to the Japanese garden lounge for a welcome cocktail. Guests are encouraged to come early and enjoy a special welcome cocktail in the Japanese garden lounge.

H Woo Lee is a Korean American chef who has captivated audiences by creating Michelin-star-inspired recipes on social media. The partially self-taught chef experienced a rise to stardom through his TikTok series, "You're Gonna Watch Me Cook For Myself" and his appearances on Food Network’s “Chopped”. Chef Lee’s menu features an exciting showcase of Korean-inspired flavors attentively crafted and presented with a whimsical luxury. 

Debi Min is a Korean American chef who is paving the way for female representation behind the sushi counter and beyond. At 17 years old, Chef Min began working as a server at a local mom and pop sushi restaurant when it dawned on her that she had never seen a single female sushi chef at any sushi restaurant. Spending her entire life savings, she moved to DTLA in 2020 to start her own sushi pop-up, but was met with the crippling effects of the Pandemic. Through pure determination and consistency she built her way up to opening Debisushi, a thriving business serving beautifully crafted Chirashi boxes. Chef Min’s menu will feature an elegant omakase experience that delicately showcases luxurious cuts of fish and Miyazaki A5 Wagyu alongside comforting flavors inspired by her mom and grandma.

Pete Duong is a Cambodian American chef born in Long Beach, CA. Inspired by his parents' sacrifices as Cambodian refugees, Chef Duong released his first cookbook, “A Taste of Home” on May 21, 2021. Now marking the three year anniversary of his cookbook, Chef Duong will make his pop-up debut on May 21, 2024 in our Rising Chef Series kitchen. Chef Duong’s menu will showcase a medley of homemade flavors that pay homage to his family and his Cambodian heritage.

This series is made possible through the support and donation of House of Suntory. All proceeds from the event will also go to fund further culinary innovation and entrepreneurship,  including support for TWCCC’s Culinary Arts Program, which empowers aspiring chefs with a space to share their stories, techniques, and innovations. 

About JACCC:

Founded in 1971, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center is one of the largest ethnic arts and cultural centers of its kind in the United States. The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center weaves Japanese and Japanese American arts and culture into the fabric of our communities. JACCC remains firmly rooted in Little Tokyo, providing a vital place to build connections between people and cultures, locally and internationally. Through inclusive programs and authentic experiences, we continue our traditions and nurture the next generation of innovative artists, culture-bearers, and thinkers. For more information, please visit JACCC.org.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) - Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Center, 244 San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, United States