No one expects to open their dream restaurant during a global pandemic.
No Place Like Kasama is a short documentary following chefs Genie Kwon and Tim Flores as they leave the Michelin-starred fine dining world to realize their lifelong dream — opening a neighborhood spot in Chicago.
Two weeks after they acquire the building, COVID-19 hits. Chicago is thrown into lockdown, destroying the restaurant industry. State regulations change daily, forcing them to adapt in real time. Handmade dinnerware shift to takeout containers. Dining chairs to patio heaters. Full staff to skeleton crew.
They persevere through 2020 in hopes that their restaurant will survive.
Today, Kasama is the world’s first Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant.
“As much as the future is unknown, it’s just one of those things that I would regret for the rest of my life if I didn’t try. I’m not afraid of failure. I’m more afraid of the regret of not trying to pursue a dream. ”
Director’s Statement
Food is my love language, my comfort, and my deepest connection to home. As an Asian American filmmaker who grew up in Singapore, I’ve always been drawn to stories about food, culture, and identity.
Yet when I look at the food media scene, it is dominated by cis-het white men, with a quiet sprinkling of minority chef beats the odds stories. I wanted more. So when I heard the news of two Asian American chefs leaving fine dining to open their first restaurant, I was instantly curious. Why leave now? What dream was worth that risk?
Genie and Tim acquired their building at 1001 N. Winchester Ave early Feb, 2020.
I reached out to Genie and Tim and asked if I could follow them until Kasama opened. We met on Feb 24th at a crowded coffee shop, yes, pre-pandemic. They agreed. We filmed twice in March.
Then COVID-19 hit.
We were left in complete unknown. Them with their dream restaurant, me with my dream film. The film was no longer just about two chefs opening their first restaurant. It was about two chefs fighting for their lifelong dream in the face of a global pandemic decimating the industry.
I made this film not just to document this time in history. It is my love letter to Asian Americans in a time when it feels painfully hard to be us in the face of so much hate. It is my love letter to the restaurant industry. It is a celebration of resilience, grit, and family. And at its heart, this film is for you.
I hope you walk away believing just a tad more that in the face of the most daunting unknown—fighting for your dreams is still worth the risk, than living with the regret of not trying at all.
Seattle Asian American Film Festival staff Yaoyao Liu in conversation with filmmakers from the Sweet & Salty shorts program.
Press Coverage
In ‘No Place Like Kasama,’ Chicago Filmmaker Captures The Struggle Of Opening A Restaurant During A Pandemic | Block Club Chicago
7 Foodie Movies at This Year’s Hawai‘i International Film Festival and What to Eat During Them | Honolulu Magazine
Marvel at Kasama, Chicago’s Only Filipino Tasting Menu Restaurant | Eater
Sweet & Salty Shorts Q&A | Seattle Asian American Film Festival
A film by Kerri Pang