A River Cruise Celebrating Chicago's Culinary Leaders

For one morning, Chicago's chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality workers stepped away from their kitchens and onto the Chicago River for a celebration dedicated entirely to them. Hosted by the Chicago Asian Network alongside Chef Thai Dang, Do-Rite Donuts, Cà Phê Đá Vietnamese Coffee, Chicago Water Taxi, and Wendella Tours & Cruises, the Industry Gratitude Cruise brought together culinary professionals for a well-deserved moment of connection, appreciation, and community.

The free morning cruise traveled from Michigan and Wacker to Chinatown, offering attendees the opportunity to enjoy Chicago's iconic riverfront from a different perspective. More importantly, it created space for the people behind the city's vibrant dining scene to gather, meet fellow industry professionals, and take a brief pause from the demands of restaurant life.

Guests were welcomed with fresh coffee from Cà Phê Đá Vietnamese Coffee and donuts from Do-Rite Donuts. In a delightful last-minute addition, Pretty Cool Ice Cream joined the lineup and treated attendees to their signature popsicles. The morning's experience was further enhanced by Wendella Tours & Cruises and Chicago Water Taxi, whose team shared fascinating insights into the history of Chicago's waterways and the role these services continue to play in the city today.

The event's spirit of gratitude was perhaps best captured during remarks from Lakhi Siap, founder of the Chicago Asian Network. Speaking to the crowd gathered on deck, he emphasized the importance of celebrating the people whose work often happens behind the scenes.

"This is what we're here to do, celebrate Asian American chefs and all the hard work that all of you do," Siap said.

He welcomed attendees from across the country, including guests who traveled from Orlando, Minnesota, and New York to join the gathering. Throughout his remarks, he highlighted the role chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals play not only as culinary leaders but also as advocates and representatives of their communities.

He welcomed attendees from across the country, including guests who traveled from Orlando, Minnesota, and New York to join the gathering. Throughout his remarks, he highlighted the role chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals play not only as culinary leaders but also as advocates and representatives of their communities.

That sense of connection was echoed by Chef Thai Dang, whose support helped bring the event to life. During a brief conversation aboard the cruise, he reflected on the experiences that continue to shape his work today.

"I like connecting with people. I think it stems from a young age that it was beyond cooking, beyond food. I'm a connector, I'm a storyteller," he shared.

Dang also spoke about drawing inspiration from his family's journey after immigrating to the United States from a refugee camp in Bataan, Philippines, and from witnessing his mother's perseverance and hard work.

"I take a lot of pride in it because knowing where I come from and how hard I got here, I'm always grateful. So I'm super excited to showcase this to everyone in Chicago."

The Chicago Asian Network extends its heartfelt thanks to every partner, volunteer, and supporter who helped make the Industry Gratitude Cruise possible. Special appreciation goes to Istorya for beautifully capturing the event through photography and videography, and to Shereen Tu for coordinating the tour route and helping ensure a seamless experience for everyone on board.

Most of all, thank you to the chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality workers, and culinary professionals who continue to enrich Chicago through their talent, dedication, and stories. This morning on the river was a small gesture of appreciation for the tremendous impact you make every day.

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