About the Event:
Language of Food is the celebration of the culinary traditions that connect us all... One Table, Endless Connections. This gathering will unite supporters, policymakers, and advocates of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and immigrants, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and cultural exchange. Come and partake in delicious dishes, engage in meaningful conversations, and strengthen the bonds that make our commonwealth vibrant and inclusive. Together, let’s savor the rich tapestry of cultures that food brings to our lives!
One Table, Endless Connections
This year's highlight:
Amaka Ubaka anchors 7NEWS Today in New England every weekday along with 7NEWS at Noon. She joined 7NEWS as a reporter in May 2016. Amaka is Nigerian-American and her name means “beautiful” in one of the many languages spoken in Africa’s most populous country. She was named “Best News Anchor” by Boston Business Women and was one of Boston Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Bostonians.” One of her proudest moments was being chosen by the Regis College class of 2023 to be their commencement speaker. She loves using social media as a way to connect with viewers and inform them about the news of the day. Before arriving in Boston, Amaka was a reporter in Orlando, FL, Omaha, NE and Redding, CA. She is a graduate of the University of Miami. Amaka is a Florida native who has fully embraced living in New England – even the snow! When she’s not on the anchor desk, you’ll find her in the gym, hiking, watching sporting events and traveling.
Still cooking… details coming soon!
Biplaw Rai a Nepali-born culinary entrepreneur, restaurant owner, and CEO, is dedicated to building community through food. With a deep passion for culture and connection, he creates intentional, collaborative spaces that bring people together. Biplaw is a Restaurant Fellow for the Boston Ujima Project, a democratic, member-run organization committed to building a cooperative business, arts, and investment ecosystem that returns wealth to working-class communities of color. An accomplished public speaker, he shares his journey of immigration and advocacy, using his platform to educate audiences on culture and cuisine, community-building, and equity in the food industry
Tran Ngoc Lee is a Vietnamese-American culinary entrepreneur and owner of Viet Citron. A former architect turned chef, she brings a distinctive blend of design thinking, cultural storytelling, and operational precision to her work. Born in Vietnam and raised in the Boston area, her connection to food is deeply personal, shaped by the dishes and traditions she grew up with and her experience navigating identity within the immigrant community. She opened the first Viet Citron location in Burlington, Massachusetts in early 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the restaurant industry. Adapting quickly, she pivoted to takeout, catering, and a flexible business model that allowed the restaurant not only to endure but to expand into multiple locations across the Boston area. Throughout her career she has remained committed to building community through food, creating welcoming, accessible spaces where people can gather and connect. She also prioritizes fostering a supportive, sustainable workplace culture, with an emphasis on team development, balance, and long-term growth.
Jonny Zackman is a Boston-based food industry leader, strategist, and community advocate whose work sits at the intersection of hospitality, culture, and social impact. He currently serves as Director of Strategy and Operations at Pagu, a local Bib Gourmand recognized restaurant where he helps drive innovative, community-centered approaches to dining and hospitality. His connection to the food world is rooted in the idea that restaurants can serve as platforms for education, cultural expression, and social change. In 2023, he co-founded Roundtable, an initiative that brings together chefs, entrepreneurs, organizers, and creatives for food-driven events centered on social justice causes. With a background that spans program development, partnership building, and community engagement, he brings a holistic approach to the food industry that centers people as much as it does cuisine. Whether through restaurant leadership, public programming, or youth mentorship, he continues to champion food as a powerful tool for cultural connection, advocacy, and community resilience.
Attend the event!
With just $100, you’re not only supporting immigrants on their ESOL journey—you’re also securing an evening filled with:
✅ An uplifting program hosted by Amaka Ubaka, Weekday Morning Anchor at 7 NEWS, WHDH-TV
✅ A lively seaside panel featuring restaurant industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and owners from diverse cultural and migratory backgrounds, who are invested in social advocacy for immigrant communities within the industry.
✅ Delicious stationed Hors D'oeuvres by East Meets West Catering and cash bar
✅ Excellent networking opportunities
✅ A fun trivia session to play for gift card prizes, back by popular demand
✅ Silent Auction with exciting prizes
✅ Today’s hottest hits provided live by DJ Mystique, perfect for mingling, relaxing, and dancing.
** Please Note: Tickets are not yet available for purchase
Become a Sponsor!
We would like to invite you to sponsor our 7th Annual Language of Food event. Your sponsorship will enable us to provide immigrants with access to high-quality ESOL classes. By joining forces with us, you’ll be supporting immigrants in their journey toward success. Your contribution will create a lasting difference, and together, we can amplify our efforts, particularly during these challenging times.
Silent Auction
As the event date approaches, stay tuned for big reveals of the exciting prizes to be auctioned off!
➤ TBA
Thank you to the following confirmed sponsors:
APPETIZER SPONSORS
HORS D'OEUVRES SPONSORS
