September MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Welcome to our September edition of the Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association newsletter! We're excited to bring you a selection of opportunities and events designed to inspire, educate, and connect. Inside this issue, you'll find exclusive information on upcoming events, details on grant opportunities that could support your business, and much more!
 

2024 MARA Annual GALA recap
Image item
On behalf of the Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association (MARA), we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our invaluable sponsors, esteemed guests, insightful speakers, and captivating performers.
 
Your participation and support made this year's Annual Gala not just an event, but a testament to our collective dedication and commitment to the Asian restaurant industry in Massachusetts.
 
As the premier occasion of MARA, the only statewide nonprofit championing this unique sector, the Annual Gala serves as a vital bridge connecting professionals, offering essential information, and fostering a sense of community. Your presence and contributions are indispensable in our mission to ensure that every restaurant owner and operator has the tools and support they need to prosper. Here's to many more shared evenings of camaraderie and progress!
Summary of what happened at our gala! 
Image item
At a recent MARA event, attendees were greeted with a special treat during the pre-event networking session. Custom-made mooncakes, featuring the MARA logo, were distributed, courtesy of sponsors HL Tea & Coffee and Clovers Kitchen. These mooncakes were not only a delicious nod to tradition but also symbolized the unity and collaboration fostered by the event.
Image item
The evening officially commenced with opening remarks from MARA co-presidents, Bob Wong and Andy Kuang. Their warm speeches welcomed the audience and set the tone for the night. Following their remarks, board member Tran expressed gratitude to the event sponsors and encouraged attendees to visit the various vendor booths. Hosts Jimmy Liang, owner of JP Fuji Restaurant Group, and Tiffany Chan, WBZ-TV Anchor & Reporter, then took the stage, adding charm and liveliness to the proceedings, ensuring that the night would be both engaging and enjoyable.
Cultural performances soon followed, beginning with a captivating martial arts display by the New England Wushu Academy. The dynamic performance energized the crowd, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of martial arts. Later, Amber Sang, from Berklee College of Music, took center stage, performing the traditional Chinese piece, "A Moonlit Night on the Spring River," on the pipa. Her graceful performance transported the audience, adding a moment of reflection and cultural appreciation to the evening.
Prominent figures from the community also made an appearance, sharing insights into the future of the Asian restaurant industry. Among the speakers were State Representative Tackey Chan, State Representative Vanna Howard, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Asian American Pacific Islander Commission Gary Yu, and Massachusetts Restaurant Association President Steve Clark. Their speeches highlighted both the challenges and the exciting potential within the industry, inspiring the audience with their forward-looking perspectives.
Image item
A particularly notable moment of the evening was when State Auditor Diana DiZoglio presented an official citation to MARA. The citation recognized the organization for its dedicated service to Asian restaurant owners and its vital role in promoting Asian cuisine and culture throughout Massachusetts. This recognition marked an important milestone in MARA’s ongoing efforts to support and uplift the Asian culinary community.
Image item
In addition to the citation, MARA also used the event to formally announce the formation of its Advisory Board. Certificates were presented to new members, including Owner of Kowloon Restaurant, Bob Wong, JL Fuji Group, Jimmy Liang, Co-Founder & Owner of Sumiao Kitchen, Sumiao Chen, and Executive President of Asian American Association Boston, Fei Pan. Although Former Assistant Secretary of Business Development and International Trade, Government of Massachusetts Nam Pham, Vice-President of JPMorgan Claire Jin, and Owner of Kam Man Foods, Yunzhao Hu were unable to attend, they were also named as key members of the board. This advisory board will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping MARA’s future initiatives and strategies.
The evening's entertainment continued with a musical interlude featuring Baritone Allen Gurvits. He wowed the audience with a powerful solo performance of "New York, New York," which was met with enthusiastic applause. Following this, the Stellar Voices Group delighted the crowd with a lively rendition of "Mamma Mia," adding a lighthearted and fun note to the event’s proceedings.
Image item
The evening's entertainment continued with a musical interlude featuring Baritone Allen Gurvits. He wowed the audience with a powerful solo performance of "New York, New York," which was met with enthusiastic applause. Following this, the Stellar Voices Group delighted the crowd with a lively rendition of "Mamma Mia," adding a lighthearted and fun note to the event's proceedings.
In a more serious turn, the event featured a panel discussion led by Attorney and Managing Partner of Lion's Law, Connie Dai. Experts such as Public Affairs Specialist at the Massachusetts District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Norman Eng, Boston-based food blogger and advertiser, Christian Doan, and Food Safety Consultant, Loretta Chin took part in the conversation, offering valuable insights into crucial topics like policy, food safety, and innovative marketing strategies for Asian restaurants. Their expertise provided attendees with practical knowledge and ideas for navigating the challenges facing the restaurant industry.
Image item
New MARA board members were introduced during the event. Among them were Co-founder of Clovers Kitchen Incubator, Ziyou Zhou, Owner of Dagu Rice Noodle in Quincy, Ben Lin, Founder of Boston Soup Dumplings, Jennie Peng, and Owner of Double Chin, Gloria Chin. Ziyou Zhou delivered an inspiring speech, emphasizing the strong sense of support and unity fostered by MARA, which resonated deeply with attendees.
Image item
The event concluded on a high note with warm closing remarks from the hosts, Jimmy Liang and Tiffany Chan. They thanked all participants for their involvement and support throughout the evening, before inviting everyone to gather for a final group photo to commemorate the event. This successful evening of cultural celebration, networking, and community engagement left everyone excited for MARA’s future endeavors.

Thank you to our gala sponsors!
Image item

Yummy Steakhouse
Member highlight
Image item
Last month's highlight features an interview with Yummy Steakhouse in Worcester, MA! Yummy Steakhouse, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a unique restaurant that blends traditional Hibachi teppanyaki with exquisite Japanese sushi.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Image item
Image item
Additional resources
Grant & Program Opportunities
(Rolling Deadline) Amber Grant - Women's Net gives away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, they've also expanded their grant-giving to include Marketing Grants, Business Category Grants, as well as two $25,000 Year End Grants.
 
(Rolling Deadline) Free LLC Formation for Moms - Zenbusiness is giving every mom in America the ability to start an LLC for free, plus the cost of your state fee.  
 
Women of Color Sixth Cohort - Apply by September 30th, 2024
 

Image item
Vote No on Question 5!
California activists have collected enough signatures to bring a question to the November ballot. All legal options have been exhausted and this question will appear on the November ballot as Question 5. This question seeks to fundamentally change the way restaurants operate in Massachusetts and will have a devastating impact on employees, operators and restaurant guests. Fortunately, we have had a campaign team in place for several months working on messaging, strategy and organizing. Polling shows that we can win and win convincingly if we spread our message.

Let your Legislators know that 
Credit Card Fees are out of control!
Please email your legislators and let them know that credit card fees are out of control. Massachusetts is one of two states that does not allow a business to add a convenience fee to consumer purchases to cover the cost of processing payment by credit or debit card. And while it has been like this for many years, the pandemic has exacerbated the issue as more and more consumers rely on credit cards. While 2% to the customer only amounts to a few dollars, 2% on all credit card transactions is a large expense for the business owner.

Want to be featured on our monthly member series? fill ouT our form below

About mara
Founded in 2018, Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association (MARA) is a non-profit corpo­ration registered at Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It formed a partnership with Massachu­setts Restaurant Association (MRA) in 2020. MARA provides Asian restaurant businesses the resources and guidance needed to advance in the industry. MARA is a platform connecting Asian restaurant members with professional service providers as well as relevant governmental entities to enhance the communication collaboration and mutual benefits. Visit ma-ara.org to join or learn more.
Image item
 
more from instagram
Instagram
Facebook
948 Broadway
Saugus, MA 01906, United States
CLICK HERE