Jenny Lau, a musician and writer from London, has created a platform called Celestial Peach. It shares stories about Chinese identity, food, and culture. For Jenny, community is central to her work and her first book.
“I’ve never followed a traditional lifestyle,” she shares. “That made me notice how community is often overlooked today. We have friends and family, but a true sense of community is hard to find. Volunteering at the East and South East Asian Community Centre in East London six years ago opened my eyes to its importance.”
In her debut book, An A to Z of Chinese Food (Recipes Not Included), Jenny challenges common ideas and stereotypes about Chinese cuisine. Through 26 essays, each corresponding to a letter of the alphabet, she dives into topics like colonization, cultural appropriation, and racism in the context of food. Each essay touches on facets of Chinese diaspora identity, language, and culture.
At the launch event for her book, members of London’s food community contributed an A to Z of canapés. This showcased the vibrant, diverse culinary scene that continues to shape her work.
Jenny skillfully blends different writing styles, mirroring her musical talents on the piano and violin. She weaves personal experiences with broader cultural themes, making her book both engaging and thought-provoking.
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