TALKING FOOD AT 1900 is a series aimed to engage, challenge and educate on a variety of topics in the food world, hosted by the 1900 Building and food writer and photographer, Bonjwing Lee. For our first Talking Food of 2023 we are beyond excited to welcome to 1900 Chef Justin Yu! Chef Yu is a phenom in the food world; a James Beard Award-winning chef whose restaurants in his hometown of Houston have been recognized by Bon Appétit, The New York Times, Food and Wine and more.
The timing of this Talking Food is significant as it falls within the celebration of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Rabbit). We are excited to spend the weekend with Justin and Bonjwing (both of Chinese heritage) learning about traditions and flavors of the Chinese-American experience, and how it has all influenced Justin’s cooking today.
SAT. 2/4 - Talking Chinese Heritage and the New Year!
Our goal with every Talking Food is to educate and the talks are always interesting, insightful, entertaining. The talk is the perfect thing to do on a Saturday and will take place in one of our beautiful event spaces.
$10 per person - will be donated to charity of Chef Yu’s choice
SAT. 2/4 - A Dinner with Guest Chef Justin Yu and Executive Chef Duerr Dinner
This will be a collaborative dinner at The Restaurant at 1900, inspired by flavors from Chef Yu’s famed establishment Theodore Rex. This dinner includes pairings, and will immediately follow the talk. Menu details coming soon!
$150 per person, plus tax and gratuity
Please note, if you are attending the dinner, The Discussion is included in your ticket price.
JUSTIN YU
After working in celebrated kitchens around the world, Justin returned to Houston and opened Oxheart, a tasting menu restaurant to much acclaim. It received Chief Critic, Pete Well’s first ever review outside of New York for the New York Times, as well as a place in Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants list. Justin himself received a semifinalist nomination for Rising Star Chef from the James Beard Awards, as well as being tapped a Food and Wine Best New Chef in 2014. In 2016 Justin earned the honor of being named the James Beard award winner for Best Chef: Southwest, only the third Houstonian to have earned this award. Justin is an avid traveler and loves to experience both new and classic food and beverage experiences. His travels have taken him to Asia, Europe and Central America in search of great cuisine and hospitality.
BONJWING LEE
Bonjwing Lee is a photographer, writer, and editor based in Kansas City, Missouri.Known for his distinct photojournalistic and storytelling approach to food and travel in particular, Bonjwing primarily works as a commercial photographer focused on the hospitality industry. His clients have included restaurants and luxury resorts and properties, both foreign and domestic, as well international products and service brands. Bonjwing's work has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, GQ, Food + Wine Magazine, Bon Appetit Magazine, and two cookbooks.
Bonjwing holds a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School.