Banquet of Stories: Roots and Routes

By Pat Parungao

The Pacific Canada Heritage Centre – Museum of Migration (PCHC-MoM) Society held its signature “Banquet of Stories” event last November 30 on the unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations at the Museum of Vancouver (MoV) located at scenic Vanier Park.   

PCHC-MoM’s Banquet of Stories provide attendees with a safe, welcoming environment where guests sample food from various cultures and learn about cultural significance, ingredients, and preparation methods of the food and migration stories of the people who prepare them.  

Guests were warmly greeted by PCHC-MoM, Capilano University and Bodwell High School volunteers. From the wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows, attendees enjoyed stunning views of Vanier Park, English Bay, downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, and the North Shore mountains. 

Co-Masters of Ceremonies and Co-PCHC-MoM Presidents Stan De Mello and Lucy Sun.  Credit: Edison Cai

Co-Presidents Stan De Mello and Lucy Sun opened the program with an enthusiastic welcome.  Director Jasmindra Jawanda then introduced fellow PCHC-MoM Director Taanggunaay Grinder of the Haida Nation who shared a Haida prayer that she learned from her Naanaay (grandmother). Cree Elder Curtis Ahenakew followed with a powerful message of unity and respect, welcoming us with a ceremonial song and drumming that resonated deeply with the audience.

Respected Elder Curtis Ahenakew  < https://www.pchc-mom.ca/gallery/banquet-of-stories-2025&gt;

Featured also were moving artistic performances by PCHC-MoM volunteer Javier Tarazona, originally from Venezuela who sang and played guitar.   Barbadian poet, author and filmmaker Marlo Browne then shared an emotional poem reflecting the struggles, resilience, and dignity of migrant workers.  

A highlight of the banquet was the wide array of food provided by local businesses representing diverse culinary traditions. Broyé Café & Bakery owner Louis Bui served Japanese sweets and signature Vietnamese “creative coffees,” modern fusions blending Asian ingredients such as ube and pandan with Vietnamese coffee. Kulinarya Filipino Eatery, represented by Christina Tamayo for owner Rose Samaniego, offered pancit noodles and spring rolls, sharing how Filipino flavours preserve memories of home while welcoming newcomers to the cuisine.

Mediterranean Specialty Foods – Turkish Market.  Ahmet Gurses served hummus, baba ghanoush, red pepper feta spread, and zaatar crackers, while sharing his father’s migration story of arriving in Canada from Turkey with only $20. Today, their store is widely regarded as the heart of Vancouver’s Turkish diaspora. Merci Beaucoup Café, a family-owned business with roots in Hai Phong, Vietnam, provided fresh Vietnamese rice paper wraps with shrimp, basil, vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts and peanut sauce. Saba Foods Middle Eastern Yemeni Restaurant owner Al Ogbah, served roast lamb haneeth with rice, hummus, and fava bean dip, highlighting their commitment to authentic Yemeni cuisine using halal, grass-fed ingredients.

Tāriq Malik, Kathy King and Paul Yuen < https://www.pchc-mom.ca/gallery/banquet-of-stories-2025&gt;

PCHC-MoM Director Tāriq Malik moderated the panel discussion featuring Kathy King and Paul Yuen who shared their migration stories. Kathy remembers Thanksgiving meals that blended turkey, rice, chow mein and curry, reflecting her Hong Kong and Mumbai family roots.  Since her teen years to the present, Kathy has worked at Ocean Brands and has actively participated in its evolution from a local fish processor to a global company.  Kathy is the Vice President of Procurement Strategy at Ocean Brands.

Paul Yuen shared his journey immigrating to Vancouver with his wife Cathy Lee in 1988.  Since co-founding Bodwell High School in 1991, it has grown into an internationally recognized, award-winning, boarding school with international and local students, guided by the motto “Strength in Diversity.”

PCHC-MoM is deeply grateful to its sponsors, community partners, donors and MOV staff – Dr. Denise Fong, Urban Curator, and Jasper Berehulke, Indigenous Specialist. PCHC-MoM’s Nafisa Golwala, Ivy Mei, Kevin Nguyen and Ethan Nguyen’s contributions were also significant to create this meaningful celebration of belonging, collaboration and intercultural harmony.  Guests departed with uplifted spirits and full hearts—and stomachs.