As part of our efforts to continue championing restaurateurs, chefs, business owners, organizations and entrepreneurs in the Asian community, we’re proud to spotlight international food celebrity Mijune Pak.

Creator of FollowMeFoodie.com and a Top Chef Canada resident judge and guest judge on Food Network Canada’s Iron Chef Canada, Mijune is an advocate for culinary tourism and educator of culture and food. The Sunday Times once named her one of the world’s “Most Extreme Foodies."

Mijune also participates as a judge for esteemed culinary programs such as The Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, Bocuse d'Or Canada National Selections, Air Canada's Best New Restaurants, Canadas100Best and many other notable awards/competitions. In 2020, Bay Street Bull Magazine included Mijune in their “14 Chinese-Canadian Leaders You Should Know About” list.

Some of Mijune’s favourite Asian-owned businesses in the Greater Vancouver area include:

@bakdcookies

@helmet_salon

@maknming

@paragontearoom

@remi.patisserie

We’ll be making a $250 donation on Mijune’s behalf to the Pacific Chinese Cultural Society, which was founded in 1993 to help newly arrived immigrants adjust to life in Canada and has raised funds for various charitable projects including building a school in Guizhou, China. Beyond supporting local causes like the Salvation Army, Richmond General Hospital, BC food banks and the Alzheimer’s Society, the society also donated 25,000 masks to seniors homes in the greater Vancouver area during the pandemic.

Catch Mijune every Monday on the latest season of #TopChefCanada tonight and every Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT) on @FoodNetworkCA.

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.

Some Sunday words of encouragement and support for all you back-of-house teams out there doing your best to maintain and stay positive during the pandemic from Chef @shunigraceosano.

"I'm so thankful for the chefs I've been with through this pandemic. I'm proud to say we improved and worked on ourselves,” she says. "The industry is struggling, but I think this experience has made us stronger and I know we can rock again this year."

Keep up the great work, teams. We believe in you and your commitment to lend an ear, cultivate that sense of camaraderie and build a better industry that is inclusive for all who are working the line.

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show love. Support local.

❤️ MOM’S THE WORD! ❤️

Here are some more amazing options for you to help show the love to all the special mothers in your lives from small and independent cafes and restaurants in BC.

Whether it’s super premium Chirashi Sushi platters, Seafood Paella Kits, Afternoon Tea Service or Sweet and Savoury Treats galore, make your plans now and check out these amazing Mother’s Day offerings guaranteed to make mom smile from:

@eatheritage

@farinaalegna

@lovesoirette

@carderos_van

@medinacafe

@beaucoupbakery

@yuwa_japanese

@savourycity

@fannybayoysters

@edgecaters

Stand tall. Stay strong. Show (MOM) love. Support local.