My Family Background is deeply intertwined with the vibrant and demanding world of Chinese restaurants. The snapshots below, taken during a Chinese New Year celebration at my uncle’s restaurant, Hunan King in Columbus, Ohio, offer a glimpse into my family’s close-knit dynamics. The first image captures the expansive gathering of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and my immediate family, illustrating the large family network that shapes my identity. The second hones in on my immediate family, the core unit within this larger structure. Lastly, the third picture features my immediate family alongside my grandparents, underscoring the importance of intergenerational bonds in my upbringing.
Being part of a Chinese family that owns and operates a restaurant, Peking House, for over 18 years has profoundly shaped my life. My journey in the restaurant business began much earlier, at the age of nine, at another establishment, Yummy House, owned by my dad. Even as a child, I was immersed in the daily operations, starting with kitchen tasks at Yummy House. My early responsibilities included folding dumplings, wontons, and crab rangoon, preparing ingredients like cutting chicken, handling dishwashing, maintaining cleanliness by sweeping floors, crafting sauces, and mastering the art of frying food. As I grew more capable, I transitioned to taking customer orders.
Following my parents’ separation, my involvement shifted to Peking House. The higher volume of business at Peking House initially streamlined my roles to order taking and relaying them to the kitchen. Gradually, my responsibilities expanded to encompass managing daily income settlements, frying dishes, occasionally cooking fried rice, replenishing sauces, containers, and soda supplies, ensuring cleanliness throughout the restaurant, from the fryer area to the front entrance, packing orders meticulously, and even managing bills and employee salaries. Furthermore, I became responsible for inventory checks, ensuring we were well-stocked with front-of-house necessities.
My immediate family structure includes my mother and three siblings, with me being the second oldest. My living situation is quite unique, sharing a home with my grandparents, mother, siblings, and two cousins. Recently, the addition of my mother’s employees has increased our household to twelve individuals, creating a very crowded living environment. The limited sleeping space, with only king-sized beds available, makes comfortable rest a challenge for everyone. My early childhood began in Ohio, my birthplace, but I was sent to live with my paternal grandmother in New York for childcare. Prior to starting first grade, I moved to Center Valley, Pennsylvania, to live with my older sister and her guardians. Eventually, towards the end of second grade, my father brought us back to Ohio, which has been my home ever since. When I was about to enter fifth grade, my father transferred custody to my mother.
Since then, my life has been a balance of work at my mom’s restaurant, school commitments, volunteering, club engagements, and household chores. Gaining driving privileges marked a significant shift in my responsibilities. With my older sister away at college, I took on tasks like managing bill payments, scheduling appointments for myself and family members, assisting with my mother’s taxes, navigating healthcare applications like Medicaid/Medicare, and transporting my cousins and siblings to their after-school activities. Additionally, I spent several summers traveling to China with my grandparents, visiting relatives and experiencing a different pace of life. However, most school breaks were dedicated to supporting my mother by working at the restaurant, allowing her much-needed rest at home. My family background is a tapestry woven with threads of Chinese heritage, restaurant work ethic, and strong familial bonds, shaping the person I am today.
