On Monday night, Joslin Diabetes Center is hosting its 14th annual “A Taste of Ginger” event at the Museum of Fine Arts. The swanky gala will give guests the opportunity to meet and taste the cuisine of some of Boston’s top chefs.
The evening’s participating chefs include Jasper White, Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery + Café (vegan carrot ginger cupcakes with ginger frosting), Andy Husbands of The Smoke Shop (eight-hour smoked pulled pork sliders with sweet and spicy coleslaw), Tracy Chang of PAGU (salmon sashimi with cucumber cubanelle sauce), Karen Akunowicz of Myers + Chang (Tiger Tears salad), Sumiao Chen of Sumiao Hunan Kitchen (squid ink bao) and Avi Shemtov of the Chubby Chickpea (shakshuka).
Photo Credit: Tracy Chang
The event, which is being emceed by NBC 10 Boston anchor and health reporter Kristy Lee, is being held to benefit Joslin’s Asian American Diabetes Initiative (AADI) which works to enhance the quality of life and health outcomes for the rising number of Asian Americans living with diabetes, and collaborates with Joslin as they work to find a cure.
Photo Credit: Andy Husbands
“The event was started by Jasper White, who wanted to help us increase the effort of treating diabetes in the Asian population in Massachusetts about 14 years ago,” said Joslin Research Director George L. King, M.D., founder of the Asian American Diabetes Initiative (AADI). “The idea he had was to gather a group of well known chefs to raise funds for outreach efforts and increase awareness for the screening of diabetes. It is important because Asian Americans are developing a lot more diabetes than the general population and at a lower body rate. This year, we will be honoring the Moy family, who owns China Pearl, Shojo, Rukus and BLR by Shojo. They have been supporting us and Asian community events for many years.”
Photo Credit: Christopher McIntoshFor over a decade, the AADI has made substantial advances to enhance to quality of life and health outcomes for Asian Americans living with diabetes through research, education, outreach and culturally appropriate treatments.
On average, the annual event raises close to $300,000. Tickets to Monday night’s “A Taste of Ginger” are $250 each.
Photo Credit: Joslin Diabetes Center
