To launch James Boo's pop-up exhibit at MOFAD, 1 Minute Meal: Stories of Food and Community in New York, we will be hosting an opening reception and screening on Thursday, July 27, 2017. Along with sharing an expanded selection of 22 short films from the project, James will moderate a panel featuring Denisse Lina Chavez of El Atoradero, Michael Rogak of JoMart Chocolates, and Helen You of Dumpling Galaxy.
A reception with tastings provided by the speakers, Brooklyn Winery wine, and Brooklyn Brewery beer will follow the screening.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be at MOFAD through September 3, 2017. The exhibit will feature a curated selection of eight stories from Boo’s 1 Minute Meal, an innovative multimedia project of micro documentaries about food. Each of these stories goes beyond the consumption-oriented focus of mainstream food media to offer an intimate glimpse into the life of a cook, business, or community in New York City.
Collectively, these narratives reveal how New Yorkers use food to nourish the communities they come from, support, or struggle to preserve. Among the exhibit’s eight subjects are a Laotian chef who prepares meals for tak bat, a ritual of feeding Buddhist monks who are forbidden from feeding themselves; Staten Island’s first Sri Lankan restaurateur; and a far-flung group of Mongolian New Yorkers who gather to eat, sing, and reconnect to their roots.
About James Boo
James Boo is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who strives to improve cultural representation in our visual media. He is currently a Just Films Fellow in residence at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP. His most recent documentary, a five-minute profile of two former African refugees who now lead the charge for female refugee empowerment in central New York, is being screened at festivals across the world.
About Michael Rogak
JoMart Chocolates was started in 1946 by Martin Rogak, Michael's father. Prior to opening JoMart, Martin worked in his father's chocolate factory, also located in Brooklyn. Michael's earliest memories are of going to work with his dad at his shop on East New York Avenue. In September of 1975, Michael started working full-time at JoMart. He ultimately became the candymaker and owner of JoMart Chocolates, and now works there with his wife Debbi. They've already started training their grandsons in candy-making.
About Denisse Lina Chavez
Chef Denisse Lina Chavez grew up with a passion for Mexican cuisine. From her hometown of Atlixco, Puebla, to the Bronx and now to Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, Chef Denisse’s intense love for cooking shines through the long road she’s traveled. El Atoradero Brooklyn prides itself on its tortillas, made from fresh nixtamal in-house daily and the long-stewed homestyle dishes of mole, adobo and more.
About Helen You
Helen You is the chef and owner of Dumpling Galaxy and Tianjin Dumpling House in Flushing, Queens. She and her dumplings have been lauded by New York Magazine, Serious Eats, Eater, and the New York Times, which named Dumpling Galaxy a Critics' Pick and awarded it one star. She lives with her family in New York City.
Pete's Candy Store Special
Pete's Candy Store is one of MOFAD's wonderful neighborhood partners. For this event, MOFAD attendees get $1 off all drinks all night.
Simply show the bartender your MOFAD sticker (given to you upon entry to the event).
709 Lorimer between Richardson and Frost.