Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Wu.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Esther. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Our story started out being an idea of sharing our culture and food with everyone. The idea of owning my business has always been a dream of mine ever since I started studying culinary arts in high school. What really inspired me to become a Chef was my mother and my grandmother. I always grew up watching my mom cook for family and friends. It was her way of showing her love and care for those people. I don’t want to just serve you food. When my mother and I cook for you we are sharing a piece of our heart and soul in that dish. I want you to experience the care and love in our food. After attending The Culinary Institute of America, I continued my education in Hospitality Management at The University of North Texas which further pushed my passion of owning my own business. When I left my corporate job I decided to go ahead and open Wu Dujour at the Dallas Farmers Market a little over a year ago. Ever since then my family and I have been sharing our food and story with our wonderful customers. It has been so rewarding meeting new people and allowing people to hear our story.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to owning your own business is never going to be a smooth one. As a food business owner it is very difficult road to success. All the cuts, burns and tears really happen and it gets really crazy. Creating recipes and doing recipe testing so our customers can experience something new is a way I don’t stay in a comfort zone. A lot of people don’t know what happens behind the scenes. It does get difficult but it is a lot of fun! Working with my mom on creating new recipes helps challenge ourselves to become better. There is nothing more rewarding than owning your own business and having the people you love do it with you. I would choose this difficult road every single time over the easy smooth road. You never know what you can accomplish if you stay in your comfort zone.
Please tell us about Wu Dujour.
Wu Dujour is a small business that is currently located at the Dallas Farmers Market serving Asian cuisine. From our hand battered Korean Fried Chicken to our Chicken Lettuce Wraps it is always about sharing a piece of our heart and soul in each dish. Our menu changes every now and then to bring new experiences as well as work with the farmers at the Dallas Farmers Market. Wu Dujour does do pop up events as well! Be sure to check out our social media to keep up with us!
We don’t want to just serve you food. We want to share a part of us to you that shows how much we care. What I am most proud of is our mission to treat everyone as family. We want to give you food that is going to not just nourish your body but your soul. That is what sets us apart. It is simply the fact that we are cooking for our family, for you.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory would have to be being at the dinner table with a bunch of food with my family. All my favorite childhood memories have food involved. I think I always loved food even when I was a kid just eating to the point I was full up to my throat. When I was a kid my parents worked really hard to get to where they are at today and I learned that from them that food isn’t just something you eat. It is something you experience. I can still remember the entire family around the table with Mom’s Korean short ribs fresh off the grill and her kimchi being paired with it. Everyone was smiling and that is one of my most cherished moments.
Contact Info:
- Address: Dallas Farmers Market (The Shed)
920 S. Harwood St
Dallas, Tx 75201 - Email: wudujour@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wudujour/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUDUJOUR/
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