On November 15, 2025, as part of ESC Club’s ongoing Lunar Culture Promotion and multicultural outreach to the Latino community, ESC Club student leader Alex Tang hosted an interactive online webinar titled “Wrapping Dumplings with Chef Alex.” The event brought together students and families from Riverview Academy, with most participants coming from Latino households eager to learn about Lunar culture through hands-on family activities.
This webinar marked the second session in ESC Club’s 2025–2026 “Chinese Holiday Traditions — Food & Fairy Stories” lesson series, which uses food, storytelling, and live demonstrations to create meaningful cross-cultural learning experiences.
During the webinar, Alex first introduced the cultural significance of dumplings in Lunar New Year celebrations, explaining how dumplings symbolize fortune, prosperity, and family unity. To help students and parents connect visually and culturally, Alex shared a short YouTube video illustrating how dumplings are traditionally prepared and enjoyed during Lunar New Year festivities.https://youtu.be/v4nSmDU32IY?si=LJLz9tS0Vg4xxuXG&t=4
The session then transitioned into a lively, hands-on experience. Alex brought his Zoom camera into the classroom and guided families step by step through the process of preparing dumpling fillings and wrapping the dough into finished dumplings. Parents and children worked together, turning the cooking activity into a joyful family experience filled with laughter, curiosity, and shared accomplishment.
Throughout the webinar, students and families not only learned new cooking skills, but also gained a deeper appreciation for a culture different from their own. The event created a welcoming space where Latino families could explore Lunar traditions, ask questions, and celebrate learning through food and family connection.
ESC Club is proud to continue building bridges between cultures through education, creativity, and community-centered STEM and cultural programming.
