Meet Alex Chen, Bellagio's Chi Fan for Charity Host
Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, Chi Fan for Charity is the Beijing-bred annual charity event that brings diners and restaurants together for an evening of altruistic eating. This year, the bash takes place across town on November 2, with dinners offered by more than 50 of Beijing’s top restaurants. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to two selected charities.
At every participating restaurant, each table of ten is hosted by one engaging member of the community. This year, Alex Chen of Cakeshop Consulting will be hosting the table at Bellagio. Read on for why he chose Bellagio and his tip on where to get "mouth-watering chicken."
Want to snag a table with Mr. Chen? Tickets (RMB 500-1,000, varies by venue) for Chi Fan for Charity are available for purchase here. (The Beijinger’s Dining Editor Cat Nelson will host the magazine’s table at The CUT at the Fairmont Beijing Hotel. Managing Editor Steven Schwankert will host a separate table at Café Sambal.)
Would you please introduce yourself in a few sentences?
I'm a native of the state of Georgia and a Beijinger since 2004. I am a founding partner at Cakeshop Consulting, a firm which specializes in marketing, branding and business consulting with a background in luxury hospitality, publishing, film and television production.
Also, I have a postcard blog about travel and two dogs, Charlie and Norma-Jean. In my off-hours, I like to read fiction, eat, and make one-pot meals.
Why did you choose to host a Chi Fan for Charity table and why Bellagio?
I've got a Taiwanese background, so Bellagio is a go-to for comfort food. Plus, it's consistent every time.
What are you looking forward to most about the evening?
Getting together with a bunch of friends. But also, the idea of meeting new people over food is very exciting ... and it's all for a good cause.
What’s your dream table of diners? Who would be the best company?
Actress and comedian, Carol Burnette
West Wing character, C.J. Cregg
Painter, Vincent Van Gogh
My maternal grandfather from 1949 China
Actor and performer, Danny Kaye
Choreographer, Alvin Ailey
Prince Siddharta Gautama
The future broker of the Mid-East Peace Accord
22nd Century Scientist, Dr. Emory Erickson
What’s your most memorable memory of a night dining out?
A food tour of Wudaokou with some friends. It started with burritos and beer, then moved on to sushi and sake, then Korean bbq and sochu, following that, hot dogs and coke, a bit of street food, and finally, cheesecake and coffee. We were stuffed, but had a great time sharing, tasting and going from venue to venue.
What's the number one dish from a Beijing restaurant that you crave?
There are two. I crave the lurou fan (stewed minced fatty pork over rice) set meal at Bellagio all the time when I'm in need of comfort food. When I want something spicy, I crave the koushuiji ("saliva" or "mouth-watering" chicken, essentially a poached bird in chili sauce) at Transit – it's addictive.
Photos courtesy of Kristen Lum and Alex Chen
