CLEVELAND — Chi Chi Tanaka takes great pride in the cookies that she bakes. They’re featured in Cleveland’s first Asian dessert box called Bento of Joy.
“I haven’t seen many Asian-inspired sweets box,” Tanaka said. “So, this was very important to us to create something we are proud of, from our identity that we grew up with, and bring that into a curated box so that people of all ethnicities can enjoy and learn about our cultures.”
Tanaka is a first-generation Japanese American. She partnered with two other bakers to put a festive and sweet spin on the traditional bento box.
“So my partners from the Bento of Joy boxes are Jenika from Jenika Eats Meat,” Tanaka said. “She is Phillipino, she’s an immigrant, and Kelly from Honey Pot Bakes, who is Chinese.”
She says they created the dessert box to raise awareness about the diversity of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
“I feel like America sees all of us as one identity which is Asian American, when in fact there’s so much depth within it,” Tanaka said.
Tanaka represents her own Japanese heritage by arranging origami stars to put in the boxes. It’s something that she says makes her feel empowered.
“I think it’s for all [of] the mini-me’s out there, the younger versions of me, to find representation, and to know that it’s OK to be different, and it’s actually your strength,” Tanaka said.
Tanaka said the racial violence that was highlighted after the murder of George Floyd and the Stop Asian Hate movement inspired her and her business partners to use food to unite people.
“I think food is a universal language, and because of that it’s an easy way for non-Asian American people to experience our culture and learn about all the things that come with that culture,” Tanaka said.
As the holidays wrap up, Tanaka says the group of bakers has one main wish on their lists this season.
“I think just feeling a bit closer to the AAPI community and understanding the depths of our culture a little more,” Tanaka said.
