Welcome to our May 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!

We are excited to invite you to an upcoming Information Sharing and Social Gathering for MARA members and others committed to the growth of the food industry in Massachusetts.

 

This gathering will provide updates on MARA’s Taste of Asia Photo Contest and serve as a warm-up for our annual gala. In addition, several service providers and supporters will share how they can assist MARA members in growing their businesses. The event will also be a great opportunity for everyone to reconnect and network in an informal setting.

 

Meeting Details:
Location: New Moon Villa Restaurant, 15 Edinboro St., Boston, MA 02111
Date/Time:  Wednesday, 5/28, from 2:00–4:00 PM.

For more information or reserve a seat, please email: info@ma-ara.org,  or call 774-315-0133

Taste of Asia Photo Contest is half way through. Thank you to those who have already submitted their amazing entries. Call to action for all aspiring participants to remember to submit by deadline (6/30/2025).

 

If  your restaurant wishes to enlist the help of a professional to do justice to your gourmet dishes, we have collaborated with BCPA (Boston Chinese Photography Association) to provide just that help.  Leave us your restaurant's name, location, contact person's name and phone number, and someone from BCPA will be in touch with you.  You may choose to thank your photographer(s) with a good meal.

 

To reach out to us for this photo help : Email us at: info@mara-ara.org

Taste of Asia Photo Contest Dedicated Online Seminar by BCPA 
For those who want to brush up on photography techniques and judging considerations, there will be an online seminar hosted by BCPA as a companion to this photo contest. See seminar details below.

 

Entry Limits: Up to 5 photos per theme (1 PDF for menu design) 
Judging Criteria: Creativity, technical skill, relevance to theme, and overall impact  
Submission links: scan the QR code to the submission links or click the link below:

We warmly invite you to become a valued sponsor of the 2025 Taste of Asia Photo Contest - an extraordinary opportunity to align your brand with a celebration of cultural heritage and culinary innovation. Your sponsorship plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Asia's rich gastronomic traditions while connecting with passionate food enthusiasts and industry leaders.

 

We offer multiple sponsorship tiers (Gold, Silver, Bronze and Friendship Circle), each with tailored benefits designed to maximize your visibility and impact. Your support is crucial to making this event a success - together, we can create an unforgettable experience that honors Asian cuisine while delivering exceptional value for your brand. Please review the sponsorship opportunities below and consider how we might partner to achieve mutual success.  

 

 

To donate with a check, please make check payable to MARA and remit to:

 

Dear restaurant owners and business providers,

MARA is devoted to be the backbone of the Asian restaurant community and maintain a vibrant platform for Asian restaurants and business/service providers alike. We support our members with information on fund-sourcing, policy interpretation, networking opportunities and public advocacy, to name a few. In today's fast changing environment, MARA will be your ally, and you will never have to face challenges alone.

ICE Raids can happen to businesses where there is the suspicion of certain immigration law violations. To help employers handle the situation in case of an ICE Raid, we've summarized the main points of guidelines provided by Nutter McClennen & Fish Law Firm, as below:

 

Pre-Raid Preparation:
Employers are advised to develop and rehearse a specific protocol for an ICE raid, designate a single point of contact to communicate with ICE agents, and provide training on employee rights (such as the right to remain silent and the right to legal counsel) and appropriate responses if approached by ICE.

 

During the Raid:
The advisory recommends that employers immediately contact their legal counsel and, if possible, have the attorney present during the raid. It is advised that a company representative accompany ICE agents to document their actions, that private or restricted areas not be accessed without a valid judicial warrant, and that any warrant presented be carefully verified for legitimacy and scope.

 

Employee Guidelines:
Employees should be instructed to remain calm and avoid fleeing. They are informed that while they may choose whether to speak with ICE, they also have the right to remain silent and request an attorney.

 

Post-Raid Actions:
Employers are encouraged to obtain and retain copies of any inventories or documents detailing seized items, preserve any surveillance footage from the incident, and document all details of the raid—such as the number of agents present, their conduct, and any deviations from the warrant.

The 119th Congress has now been sworn in and our efforts to pass the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) at the Federal level will continue. While the legislation has not yet been re-introduced by the National Restaurant Association, we are continuing to build a broad base of support for the CCCA from all 50 states. The issue continues to gain traction in the media, especially on the heels of Visa’s estimated $100 million increase in swipe fees effective January 1st.

 

You may recall that the Coalition has sent a few support letters in the past signed by businesses operating within the state and have been told by Congressional offices that those letters are one of the most compelling demonstrations of support they’ve received on CCCA. As such, we urge you to sign on to this letter by clicking on this link: Company Support for the Credit Card Competition Act.

 

It’s a simple process of listing your company name and the state in which your company operates so that we have signatories ready to go when we send additional state-specific letters to Senators urging their support for the bill. 

MARA has partnered with Potencia to offer affordable, one-on-one English tutoring sessions tailored for adult immigrants. These 10-week online programs provide personalized learning, real-life conversation practice, and flexible schedules. At just $5 per session ($50 for 10 sessions), participants receive 1-hour individual lessons with an additional discount available for MARA members.

 

Interested individuals can apply online below or text (617) 580-0176 for more details. Don’t miss this opportunity to improve English skills in a supportive, affordable environment!

Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 8:00 PM (Eastern Time)  
Format: Online via Zoom  

Food is not just a feast for the taste buds—it’s also an art form for the lens! In support of the ongoing Taste of Asia Photo Contest, the Boston Chinese Photography Association (BCPA) is proud to present a special masterclass featuring two seasoned photography experts. They will unveil the secrets of food photography and share key insights for competition success.  

Event Highlights
1. Speaker: Dongxu Shan 
 Topic: The Judge’s Perspective—How to Create Award-Winning Food Photography  
- Criteria for outstanding competition entries  
- Strategic photo selection and submission tips  
- Common pitfalls to avoid  

2. Speaker: Jianxiong Zhu
 Topic: Step-by-Step Food Photography Demo  
- Hands-on techniques: composition, lighting, and styling  
- Case studies: Visual storytelling that makes food "speak"  
- Post-processing: Enhancements to elevate your work 

Who Should Attend  
✓ Photography enthusiasts  
✓ Food industry professionals (essential skills for showcasing dishes!)  
✓ Aspiring contest participants  

Key Takeaways
- Practical shooting techniques for instant improvement  
- Insider knowledge of judging preferences to boost winning chances  
- Free access to the latest contest updates  

How to Join 
1. Zoom Meeting
    Link: [Click button below to join]
    Meeting ID: 823 9409 2028  
    Passcode: qMDg2b  

2. Scan QR code for direct access

The Asian Business Empowerment Council (ABEC) and the Massachusetts House Asian Caucus have launched the fifth annual #ShopAAPIMonth campaign to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in May. 

 

Originally started in 2021 as a grassroots effort to counter anti-Asian sentiment, the campaign encourages residents to support and promote AAPI-owned small businesses across Massachusetts.

 

The initiative aims to boost economic visibility, cultural pride, and long-term investment in AAPI businesses. Last year’s campaign reached over 8,500 social media accounts, with over 40% engagement.

 

Shop, tag, and share your experiences with local AAPI businesses using #ShopAAPIMonth and tagging @abec_ma and @asiancaucusma.

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.  

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.