In the beginning\, the film is a fascinati ng oral history that recounts Chiang's privileged background in pre-Cultur al Revolution China\, her escape during Occupation\, and her trip to San F rancisco where she opened her renowned restaurant "The Mandarin" in 1961. The second half of the documentary shifts focus to follow in detail a lavi sh celebratory feast. The film features interviews with Alice Waters\, Rut h Reichl\, and Cecilia Chiang herself.
\nEach month we invite guest speakers\, filmmakers\, and lecturers to lead the conversation. This month 's guest is Dr. Cecilia Chien\, a child of immigrant parents whose stories of war-torn China deeply affected her. \; Her work as a professor of East Asian history at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is inseparab le from her identity as an Asian American. \; She has taught courses o n pre-modern and modern China\, East Asia in film\, and the Asian American experience. \; She hopes to provide insights from her work and her ex perience\, though she admits that she &ldquo\;would never be able to creat e a banquet\, but knows how to enjoy one!&rdquo\;
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