Chef and owner of Sandwich Hag, Reyna Duong, talks about cooking, naming her restaurant, and employing people with disabilities. She also narrates the story of star baker and author Nadiya Hussain. They discuss favorite ingredients, creating inclusivity, and the mission to become ordinary with people with disabilities in restaurant kitchens. They also highlight the similarities of resilience in their stories and the importance of overcoming barriers.
Reyna Duong discovered her love for cooking in her mother's kitchen and developed a passion for food and nurturing people through cooking.
Reyna Duong aims to create an inclusive environment at her restaurant by employing individuals with disabilities and breaking societal stereotypes.
Deep dives
Reina Jung's Love for Cooking and Food
Reina Jung, chef and owner of Sandwich Hagg in Dallas, Texas, discovered her love for cooking in her mother's kitchen despite initially not enjoying it. She paid attention to everything her mom did and developed a passion for food and nurturing people through cooking. Reina particularly loves cooking with coconut milk due to its versatility in Vietnamese cuisine, where it can be used in various dishes, from savory to sweet.
Inclusivity and Mission-driven Approach
In line with her mission to create an inclusive environment, Reina employs individuals with disabilities, including her brother who has Down syndrome, at her restaurant. She aims to break societal stereotypes and believes in fostering a welcoming space where everyone feels safe and valued. Reina's goal is for such inclusivity to become ordinary, highlighting the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities in creating a stronger community. Her nomination as a finalist for a James Beard Award reinforces the value of staying true to one's mission and being unapologetic in providing a unique dining experience at her restaurant.
Reyna Duong is the chef and owner of award-winning Vietnamese sandwich shop, Sandwich Hag! Reyna talks about cooking, naming her restaurant and employing people with disabilities. She narrated the story of star baker and author, Nadiya Hussain!
This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This episode was produced and directed by Haley Dapkus, with sound editing by John Marshall Media. The executive producer was Joy Smith. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. Stay Rebel!
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