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• Hop Lee, 16 Mott Street, NYC 10013
• August 25, 2026
• 6:30 - 8:30 PM
• $75 Dames (with discount coupon code) /$85 Guests
• Current event maximum is 24 guests*
• Waiting List
• BYOB is welcome. If you would like to enjoy wine with your dinner, you are welcome to bring your own bottle.

*Additional tables may be added if there is enough interest. We will add names to the waiting list if we exceed 24 and release seats as available.

On Tuesday August 25th join Dame Grace Young for a special evening celebrating the history, resilience, and future of Manhattan’s Chinatown. Grace is a James Beard Humanitarian of the Year and Julia Child Award recipient who has been honored for her work to preserve America’s Chinatowns.

Enjoy a family-style Cantonese dinner at Hop Lee, one of Chinatown’s oldest restaurants, where the menu reflects the cooking traditions brought by the first Chinese immigrants to America. The 9-course menu, selected by Grace, will include Cantonese Style Lobster with Longevity Noodles, Singapore Chow Mai Fun, and Steamed Egg Custard with Shrimp. After nearly closing during the pandemic, Hop Lee has made a remarkable comeback, earning a place on The New York Times’ list of New York’s 100 Best Restaurants in both 2023 and 2026. 

Grace will speak about why America’s Chinatowns matter and the challenges these historic communities face today. The evening will also feature Alice Liu, second-generation owner of Grand Tea & Imports, who will serve a special tea pairing with the dinner and speak about the realities of sustaining a family-owned businesses in Chinatown today. Each guest will receive a curated selection of teas from Grand Tea &. Imports to take home.

Program Chairs:

Sharon Franke and Joyce Lin

About Grace Young

Grace Young is a cookbook author and Chinatown champion who became known as the “accidental voice for Chinatown” during the pandemic, when she began advocating for America’s Chinatowns. A 2023 Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree, she has received numerous accolades for her work to save America’s Chinatowns. Dubbed the “accidental voice for Chinatown” by Grub Street, Grace’s advocacy has been featured widely in national media, Her culinary achievements include three James Beard Awards and six IACP Awards, including the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award. Grace is currently partnering with the James Beard Foundation on the #SupportChinatowns social media campaign. She is a proud member of Les Dames d’Escoffier New York. Grace Young Photo: Jennifer Livingston

About Grand Tea and Imports and Alice Liu 

With two decades of experience sourcing Chinese cultural goods, Grand Tea and Imports (GTI) is a small family owned and operated shop that is rooted in NYC's Chinatown and houses one of New York's widest selection of Chinese tea leaves, herbs and tea wares, Buddhist supplies, cultural gifts, and traditional gifts. For a glimpse of Chinatown's traditions, take a walk through the aisles packed with scented incense, handmade altars, and paper worship supplies. Visitors can also buy fine teas sourced from all corners of Asia. There is so much to discover at Grand Tea & Imports!

Alice is the youngest member of the GTI family and grew up working in the Chinatown family business. Alice is passionate about helping small business owners like her parents’ prosper and maintain their foothold in the community. In the daytime, she works as a community organizer at Think!Chinatown, a nonprofit organization using arts and culture to do placekeeping, neighborhood engagement, and storytelling work in Chinatown. On nights, weekends, and holidays, she helps her family run Grand Tea and Imports, focusing on the backend operations, special events, and sourcing. And in between the two, she likes to listen to Mandarin and Cantonese music spanning from the golden records from the 70's to whatever's on the radio now. Alice Liu Photo: Welcome to Chinatown