AACE INTEVIEW: Wendy Zeng of Chopped420
Introducing Wendy Zeng, a trailblazing chef who has embarked on a groundbreaking culinary journey at the intersection of cannabis and gastronomy. With her innovative approach to cooking and her deep understanding of the diverse flavors and therapeutic properties of cannabis, Wendy has become a leading figure in the realm of cannabis-infused cuisine. Her passion for creating unique culinary experiences and her cannabis expertise have revolutionized how people perceive and appreciate the marriage of food and cannabis.
Growing up in a culturally rich environment, she was exposed to various flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques. Wendy's passion for food led her to explore the culinary world independently, where she honed her skills, refined her palate, and developed a keen sense of experimentation while incorporating her 100% Sichuan La Mei Chinese heritage's traditional flavors and cooking styles. At our most recent AACE Potluck, Wendy created a menu of traditional Chinese New Year dishes that was the foundation of a celebration of the Year of the Rabbit. I am in awe of her constant explorations in combining cultures and flipping the script on uses for organic matter such as cannabis and functional mushrooms. I hope you enjoy Wendy’s words as I did, and one day, you can attend one of her events or one of AACE’s Potlucks! - Ophelia Chong
Why Magu Magic?
It's not enough to create gatherings to change the narratives in modern cannabis. We felt the need to surface pre-existing narratives and roots in Asia that challenged the reports of modern-day stigma in Asian communities. Even then, just looking back at history is also not enough. We also need to create new associations through visual and performance art.
What is the biggest hurdle for women of color in cannabis?
Same as the most other lucrative capital-driven industry: 1) access to funds and 2) psychological & physical safety. There are some organizations out there doing great work to source funding for WOC entrepreneurs, but at large, WOC are not the ones securing financing for their businesses compared to their white and/or male counterparts. Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, but at the employment level, the wage gap inequalities we face at large is also hyper-pronounced in the cannabis industry. With that, you have mostly bro culture at the leadership level, which inevitably creates toxic environments that enable the dismissal and harassment of women.
Your path to today, I could only compare to a Tony Hawk move that flies up and away and spins continuously; what was that moment that inspired you to be where you are right now? I've worked on projects aligned with my interest for a long time, food and otherwise. In 2020 when I met and became close friends with Ophelia and the broader AACE network local to LA, it was a time when I had just gone through a friendship and business partner breakup amidst all the pandemic-related disruptions. Finding and connecting with my people gave me the confidence to practice working on projects and showing up in ways that are not only aligned with my interest but also with my VALUES. It became infinitely easier to make decisions, and that's what life is, a series of decisions that lead you to where you are. You can't always force or predict the outcome, but you can count on yourself to stay aligned with your values, which leads you to where you need to be.
What is your go-to inspiration this week? Intergenerational healing is the theme this week. My dad is visiting after not being able to see each other for 2 years, and we've been having some productive conversations. It's a good reminder to me that relationships evolve and it can be complicated and beautiful at the same time.
Tell us how you felt when you won Chopped420?
I FELT ELATED! In the episode, you see me crying at the end because in that moment, I was just so proud of myself. It was my first time in a food competition, on TV no less. To think I almost backed out, I would've missed out on all the cool opportunities and people I got to meet because of the show.
Links:
Magu Magic Event
