🍽️ Once Upon a Bite: The Gathering That Started It All

A Celebration of Culture Through Food & Music

📅 Event: Once Upon a Bite 🗓️ Date: September 9, 2023 📍 Location: Greenwood Village, CO 🎉 Theme: Exploring Identity Through Cuisine and Community

Before we were officially Asian Connect Denver, we were simply a group of passionate individuals brought together by a shared vision: to create space for cultural exchange, connection, and community. That vision came to life on September 9, 2023, at our first-ever event—Once Upon a Bite.

This event was more than just a potluck. It was a cross-cultural celebration, featuring homemade dishes from all over the world, live performances by local youth, and powerful conversations around identity and heritage. It was the moment that inspired us to grow into the organization we are today.

🌏 What We Shared

Community members, from home cooks to culinary enthusiasts, brought dishes representing their roots, each with a personal story behind it:

• 🥮 Ukrainian Pastry by Liza

• 🌶️ Sichuan Cuisine by Ella

• 🍜 Vietnamese Cuisine by Hannah

• 🍲 Peruvian Dish by Karol

• 🥟 Russian Dish by Anastasia

• 🍛 Fujian Dish by James

• 🍬 Indian Pastries by Adrija

• 🍗 Chicken Curry by Erin

• 🌼 Osmanthus Fermented Rice Tiramisu by Eva

• 🥥 Indian Payasam by Kani

• 🥧 Scottish Meat Pie by Valerie

• 🥞 Jewish Pancakes by Nat

• 🍡 Glutinous Rice Sesame Balls (Shared by multiple guests)

The diversity of dishes reflected the richness of our community—each bite a symbol of pride, memory, and generosity.

🎶 Performances from the Next Generation

The event featured live performances from young local talents, singing, playing instruments, and even dancing to celebrate their heritage. These performances reminded us that culture is a living thing, passed down and carried forward by the younger generation.

“Once Upon a Bite reminded us that food, music, and storytelling have the power to build bridges. That night, we didn’t just share meals—we shared our hearts.”

🌱 The Beginning of Something Bigger

This special evening planted the seeds for what would become Asian Connect Denver. The connections made, stories told, and support shown during Once Upon a Bite affirmed that our community was ready for something lasting—and inclusive.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to that unforgettable first gathering. You helped launch a movement!

🥢 Looking Back, Moving Forward

We’ve come a long way since that first bite—and we carry the same energy and purpose into every event we host today.