NATIONAL ACE AND GRUBHUB AWARD NEW YORK CITY ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER RESTAURANTS WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS
NATIONAL ACE AND GRUBHUB AWARD NEW YORK CITY ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER RESTAURANTS WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS
[October 9, 2024, New York, NY] – The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), in partnership with Grubhub, is proud to announce the recipients of the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund, a program made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund. This initiative provides critical support to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned restaurants, highlighting their essential role in enriching our culinary landscape and fostering community connections.
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, National ACE and Grubhub hosted a special reception to celebrate the New York City grant recipients from this year’s program at Grubhub’s Bryant Park office. These exceptional restaurateurs were recognized not only for their culinary contributions but also for their resilience in navigating ongoing economic challenges.
More than one million AAPIs call New York City home, accounting for 16% of the 8.8 million total population. As such, AAPI-owned businesses and consumers account for a significant portion of the city’s economy, contributing to job creation, entrepreneurship, and fueling New York City’s vibrant cultural hub. The AAPI community is a powerful economic force in New York, having generated nearly $72 billion in annual revenue and employed over 327,000 people in 2022.
"Our AAPI-owned restaurants in New York City have demonstrated remarkable resilience and ingenuity in facing the unique challenges of this city," said Chiling Tong, President & CEO of National ACE. "The support from Grubhub through this grant is crucial. It enables restaurant owners to thrive and succeed while helping to sustain the cultural and economic vitality of our communities."
“This grant is helping us a lot. We plan to use this grant to invest in new equipment, we are more efficient and can serve our clients even better because of this grant,” said grant winner Emily Bhattree Vilep, owner of 7 Elephants in Manhattan.
The following New York-based AAPI-owned restaurants have been awarded grants through the AAPISTRONG/Grubhub initiative in 2024:
● Michael Angeles - Botani Cafe - Brooklyn
● Maiko Kyogoku - Bessou - Manhattan
● Hyung Suk Kim - Kokio Chicken and Beer - Queens
● Christopher Low - Hainan Chicken House - Brooklyn
● Yue Zhong - Heirloom Boba - Westbury
● Jeffrey Kim - Nudibranch - Manhattan
● Hashmatullah Ghani - Kandahar Grill - Hicksville
● Kyung il Lee - Sagaponack - Manhattan
● Anurak Masayavanich - 7 Elephants - Manhattan
● Kwong K. (Janet) - Moy Mee Sum Coffee Shop - Manhattan
● Yamuna Shrestha - Nepali Bhanchha Ghar Restaurant - Queens
● Zhiyu Lai - Nom Wah Nolita - Manhattan
● Karma Dolma - Cafe Himalaya - Manhattan
● Dennis Chung - Pasteur Grill & Noodles - Manhattan
● Naratip Klinsrisuk - Pata Paplean - Brooklyn
● Young Hwan Kim - Hahn Ji Bach - Queens
● Hansong Kim - Handsome Rice - Manhattan
● Jiravadee Luekrachangtum - Thailicious - Manhattan
● Chanchai Khampinchai - Zabb PuTawn - Manhattan
● De Guang Yang - Sunday Dreamin - Manhattan
● Yoshiko Sakuma - Rabbit House Omakase & Sake Bar - Manhattan
● Randy Reppel - Roebling Pizza - Brooklyn
● Shi Ming Huang - Wo Hop - Manhattan
In 2024, a total of 170 grants totaling more than $1 million were dispensed to AAPI restaurateurs throughout the country, empowering them to enhance their businesses through vital initiatives such as infrastructure improvements, e-commerce advancements, employee benefits, and streamlined operations. By investing in these businesses, we not only help secure their futures but also cultivate vibrant community spaces.
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About National ACE:
National ACE serves as a strong advocate for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) business interests, promoting positive change that enhances the goals of AAPI entrepreneurs and leaders. With over 130 affiliate chambers and partnerships nationwide, National ACE champions issues that impact the AAPI business community.
About Grubhub:
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), and is a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features 375,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities.