Audrey Magazine came out to support our sister publication, KoreAm Journal, for their annual event, Unforgettable at the Park Plaza Hotel on . The affair was bigger than ever, selling out prior to the event, and boasted a roster of big names within the Korean American community. Contributing Editor Ada Tseng and I took on the big task (read: fun task) of interviewing some of the red carpet arrivals, which included The Walking Dead‘s Steve Yeun, singer Clara C, R&B artist Amerie, and the recent winners of the Great Food Truck Race – the boys of Seoul Sausage Company.
Unforgettable 2012.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bond film franchise and the tenth Asian Bond Girl (French Cambodian-Chinese actress Bérénice Lim Marlohe) who’s featured in Skyfall, we’re going to take a step back into history and give you an overview of every single Asian actress who has shared screentime with Ian Fleming’s iconic secret agent (and arguably the world’s most famous) spanning the last 50 years. Some of these names may be recognizable to you – while others may be of surprise. Click and read on!
French Cambodian-Chinese actress/model Bérénice Lim Marlohe as Sévérine in the latest Bond movie, Skyfall.
On an unseasonably warm and gorgeous October 5th evening, many of New York City’s Asian American young professionals came out to support the annual Plate by Plate tasting benefit held at the historic New York Public Library. Plate by Plate NYC is the premier annual food and wine charity fundraising event thrown by the New York City chapter of the national volunteer organization, Project by Project.
In it’s 15th Year, this event still managed to surprise and delight the 500 guests that came out to support the benefit . Decked out in their cocktail best and ready to eat, drink and be charitable, these urban professionals tasted treats from 30 of the city’s finest restaurants and beverage purveyors.
The participating restaurants offered up innovative fare that included lobster katifi pumpkin bisque, smoked lamb ribs, foie gras a la shabu shabu, artisanal ice creams (honey vanilla, fresh mint or Nutella) served with homemade shortbreads, and so much more.
Second year participant, Chef Toshi Nukui of Pranna served a red chicken curry with vegetable samosa sticks because he felt it best represented Southeast Asian cuisine. Mark Lee, general manager of Spot Dessert Bar, returning for a third year, said they chose to serve kabocha brulee cake because they wanted to share some Asian flavors that were not common in desserts.
Chris Jaeckle, a Michelin star chef formerly with Ai Fiori, debuted his new restaurant, All’onda, at the event. Attendees got to sample his restaurant before it officially opens in November in Union Square.
The thoughtful menus of all the participating restaurants impressed the well-dressed crowds, as many lined up again and again for the creative delicacies. Sake and wine flowed freely as the hallways overflowed with these foodies, mingling and dining for a good cause.
A special chef’s tasting demo emceed by longtime supporter, MSNBC anchor Richard Lui was held in the main hall. Lui has hosted the Quickfire Challenge (a cooking competition) for the past two years. First up was Chef Justin Antiorio, this past season’s Hell’s Kitchen runner-up, who cooked up a charred octopus dish with white bean puree in under ten minutes. He took the dish out to the audience and even the finickiest eater was pleased. Celebrity taster, Tom Keene, Bloomberg Radio Host, declared it delicious.
Founding Plate by Plate Chef Kerry Heffernan of Top Chef Masters who has supported the benefit from the very beginning, put together a pasta dish featuring clams, bacon and kale, with the help of CNBC Reporter, Seema Mody and all under 8 minutes He stressed how easy it was to find the ingredients locally and that anyone could make this dish at home. It was another crowd pleaser.
In addition to the tastings, there was a silent auction featuring over 70 items donated by merchants, organizations and individuals. There were a great variety of items (posh vacation packages, stunning jewelry, tech gadgets, etc) with something for just about everyone’s liking. Some of the hot “priceless” treasures included an autographed Michael Jackson Thriller record, a Justin Bieber autographed poster, Asian American activist Corky Lee’s framed poster, and a signed Jeremy Lin Knicks jersey. Figures will not be out for a few weeks but are expected to bring in over $10,000, according to Project by Project’s NY Marketing Director Anne Lee.
Each year, Project by Project partners with a community-based organization and tailors a year-long campaign to help its fundraising, community outreach, and public awareness efforts. In commemoration of Project by Project’s 15th anniversary, net proceeds from this year’s benefit will go toward further developing and strengthening the organization’s overall infrastructure, so, that they can continue providing support for future partners and the community. Project by Project NY has partnered and helped 14 organizations to date. The organization and event is 100% volunteer based and 165 volunteers helped to make the evening a success.
Though the Hotel Cafe alumnus has a new label and team of producers, Meiko isn’t afraid to walk alone.
ISSUE: Summer 2012
DEPT: Personalities
STORY: Christina Lee
PHOTO: Leigha Hoonet
In April, Meiko trekked to Kahuku, Hawaii, for a gig and a few days of relaxation — alone. She’d asked two friends to join her, though neither of them was available. “I thought it was going to be horrible to be by myself, but now I’m getting more excited,” she says days prior, by phone. “I can go by myself, chill out and do all the things I want to do, without making sure that’s OK with everybody else.”
In 2007, Meiko transitioned from Hotel Cafe waitress to one of the name sake tour’s biggest success stories: Grey’s Anatomy played her songs and Perez Hilton praised her, which helped catapult her independently-released, self-titled and mostly acoustic debut album to No. 1 on iTunes’ Singer/Songwriter chart. Her latest, The Bright Side, released last May, comes courtesy of Concord Music Group offshoot Fantasy and a new team of producers. Along with longtime collaborators(Jimmy Messner, Greg Collins, Tony Reyes), Meiko enlisted Belgium producer Styrofoam — based on his remixes of Postal Service and Submarines songs. “I’ve always wanted to do that, mesh the acoustic, organic vibe with a little bit of electronica here and there,” she says.
Inspired by her current boyfriend, whom she met at the South by Southwest festival three years ago, The Bright Side also has Meiko breathlessly vowing to bake pies, declaring that she’d make a good wife, swooning. But when she rattles off this year’s traveling plans — snorkeling and eating shaved ice in Hawaii, flying to Japan to meet maternal relatives for the first time — it’s still easy to imagine her retreating to her childhood bedroom in Roberta, Ga., writing kiss-offs to boys and terrible friends. “I’ve tried to distance myself from negative people I was hanging out with,” she says, “and that’s actually why I spend a lot of time by myself, writing and doing a lot of soul-searching.”
— Christina Lee
ISSUE: Summer 2012
DEPT: On That Note
Age: 20. Heritage: Chinese, English, Native American. Occupation: Actress. Always makes me laugh: A girl named Mimi Gianopulos. The last thing I ate: Jasmine milk tea with extra boba. Most overused phrase: Coolio Julio. Go-to comfort food: PB&Js. Current obsession: Game of Thrones. Treasured possession: My grandmother’s engagement ring. On “repeat” on my iPod: “Fool to Cry” by the Rolling Stones. Greatest fear: Mediocrity. Pet peeve: Disingenuity. Habit to break: I can be a worrywart at times. Motto: Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” Go-to karaoke song: “Run This Town” by Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West. Being Asian rules because: Frankly, it adds flavor to my life, and I’m not just talking about my Ni Ni’s cooking! Next up: The Amazing Spider-Man, Wine of Summer and Run.
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Wardrobe styling by Sophia Banks Coloma, assisted by Ali Mandelkorn; makeup by Kelsey Deenihan @ Exclusive Artists; hair by Stephen Lewis @ Exclusive Artists.
Ellery dress, Citrine by the Stones bracelets, Jewelmint earrings, Charles Albert ring.
Go behind the camera with us at our Fall 2012 photoshoot with cover girl Jamie Chung! Edited by Courtney Beavers, here’s a nice little video set to Far East Movement’s “Rocketeer (LA Dreamer Version)” (who is also featured in our Fall issue!). Much thanks to the the team that worked on this: photographer (and our Creative Director!) Diana King, Olivia Wu (producer), Ashley Avignone (stylist), Shelly Samia (makeup), Gaelle Secretin (hair), and videographer Khalif Boyd!
Be sure to also catch Jamie this Saturday on September 15th as she co-hosts Audrey’s Night Out 2012 with Justin Chon! More info here.
Who do you think our cover gal is? Read on to find out.
Did you know that we’re now entering our tenth year as a publication? Over the past nine years, we’ve featured numerous stories for and on the modern Asian American woman by covering the Asian American pop culture landscape, dishing out on the up-and-coming hot spots around America (and Asia!), and giving you the latest fashion and beauty trends off the runways. One of the best parts about working at Audrey is being able to personally connect with our audience as they have shared some of their experiences with us.
However, we all decided that Audrey did not some change – in fact, a brand new look. Don’t worry – despite all these changes, we assure that at the core, Audrey will always remain the magazine that strives to empower many Asian American women of all generations.
The cover girl for the Fall issue is also no stranger to Audrey. She’s a fierce, rising young starlet- and undeniably, one of the busiest Asian American women actresses in Hollywood. Think you know who it is? Click on to find out and see the new look of Audrey Magazine.
Jamie Chung, Justin Chon, and Clinton Sparks? Those are only some of the entertainment headlining Audrey’s Night Out 2012, as Audrey Magazine returns with their biggest event of the year –AND unveils the new look of the publication for their big fall issue. Oh yeah – and we’re also giving away a round trip private jet experience package to VEGAS! Read on for more information!
London 2012 – the Summer Olympics are finally here! If you have missed some of our preview posts leading up to this year’s summer games, check below for our coverage. We rounded up our picks and spoke with some of the athletes competing in this year’s games. Let us know who you’re rooting for this year in the comments below!
Sung Jin Lee (Archery) of South Korea. Image courtesy of London 2012.com.
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