Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Chu.
Annie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a first-generation Chinese American woman who loves food and taking pictures of her food. I believe that each photo captures a finite moment in life where you are being gratified by the luxury of eating food and maybe even enjoying it with someone you care about. From the aroma to the taste to the presentation, food can never be perfectly replicated, and I find it so magical.
Eating together, cooking, and experiencing food are huge aspects of my culture, and at a young age, I found myself immersed in the story of each dish. I initially started my food page on Instagram as a hobby, for I simply wanted to document the places I had eaten at, describe the complexities of the dishes, and display my novice photography skills. I specifically focused on small businesses owned by women, families, immigrants, and people of color! Hole-in-the-walls, diners, street vendors. Our community would be nothing without them. The page then evolved into a passion of mine and a part-time job when I began receiving messages to collaborate with brands and restaurants. I was suddenly invited out to try new dishes, attend exclusive events, and promote the places I already know and love. These moments exhilarated me, and I realized that social media, digital marketing, and business are career paths I wanted to pursue.
I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from The University of Texas at Dallas, but I had no idea what was next. I had too many interests that pulled me in different directions, and I could not choose one. When I concluded that social media, digital marketing, and business were avenues I wanted to venture into, I looked into getting a formal education on the subjects because I wanted to integrate my skillset into a corporate, or even entrepreneurial, setting. I am now in a dual degree Master’s program at UT Dallas, my alma mater, for an MBA and an MS in Marketing!
My current goals are to excel in my education and continue growing my food page into a larger platform that showcases the incredible people and sights of Dallas.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have definitely faced a lot of personal challenges along the way.
As a first-generation Asian American woman who is the eldest of her family, I struggled with those characterizations due to the extreme expectations that were placed on me. After all, who doesn’t want their child to succeed in a country they worked so hard to immigrate to and prosper in? As a kid, it was difficult to see this message from their perspective, and I found myself afraid of failure and in need of constant validation. Additionally, my younger brother has a genetic disease that affects his physical and cognitive abilities. I love everything about him and practically raised him as a second mother, but it also forced me to grow up very quickly.
I now facilitate open conversations with my family, friends, and boyfriend because mental health is still such a stigma, particularly in the Asian American community. It is an ongoing process of introspective amends, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Our world needs more love and understanding.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Like I mentioned before, I run a food page on Instagram, @DFWFoodNites, that showcases small businesses owned by women, families, immigrants, and people of color. While chains and trendy Instagrammable spots are featured on my page as an attraction or simply because I love what they have to offer, I believe people should highlight the lesser-known restaurants that are hidden gems, even if they don’t fit a certain aesthetic. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, these owners struggle to keep their doors open and rely on word-of-mouth advertisement. If we have the means of going out to dine and post about our experience, the attention should be primarily on these places!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I truly believe that social media is our inevitable future, so understanding how technology and the digital market work will be advantageous to anyone! Businesses have been shifting towards online stores, and eventually, I believe in 5-10 years, we will have access to even more convenient means of transportation, shopping, and acquiring goods and services. Who knows? Maybe we will have menus that emit the aromas of the corresponding dish or project a hologram of it!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfwfoodnites/
Image Credits:
Annie Chu
