Living Legend // David Chiu

Every weekend in May, we will highlight a very special friend of Old Skool Cafe as we celebrate the Asian-American Pacific Islander heroes in our community. Join us as we learn, celebrate, and enjoy each living legend's favorite meal!

Old Skool Cafe (OSC): David Chiu, thank you so much for letting us celebrate you during Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Will you tell us a little bit about yourself?

David: I am the first Asian American to serve as San Francisco City Attorney, as the California Assemblymember representing eastern San Francisco, and as President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Previously, I was a civil rights attorney, criminal prosecutor, Democratic Counsel to the US Senate Constitution Subcommittee, Small Business Commissioner and board chair to the Youth Leadership Institute. As the son of immigrants, I received my undergraduate, law, and master’s in public policy degrees from Harvard University. I am married to Candace Chen, and we are raising their seven-year-old son Lucas.

OSC: What is your favorite meal and why?

David: If we're talking comfort food, along with OSC's short ribs and mac & cheese, I'd add watermelon and apple pie.

OSC: Who is an AAPI historical figure you admire and why?

David: A civil rights icon, Fred Korematsu was arrested during World War II for refusing to go to a Japanese American internment camp, and the Supreme Court upheld his conviction.  Four decades later, his conviction was finally overturned.  His life exemplified the meaning of courage and how one person can make a difference against injustice.

OSC: What is one piece of wisdom/advice that you would like to impart to this generation of young people?

David: No matter what they say, you can change the world.

OSC: Why do you support the mission of Old Skool Cafe?

David: Lifting up the next generation of young people, plus the sharing of food, music and community - what's not to love? Old Skool Cafe is not only a wonderful supper club, but also a great community space and the perfect spot to have a drink.

Living Legend // Ilaria Chan

Every weekend in May, we will highlight a very special friend of Old Skool Cafe as we celebrate the Asian-American Pacific Islander heroes in our community. Join us as we learn, celebrate, and enjoy each living legend's favorite meal!

Old Skool Cafe (OSC): Ilaria Chan, thank you so much for letting us celebrate you during AAPI Heritage Month! Will you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Ilaria: I am Chairperson of Tech For Good Institute (think tank founded by Grab) and the Group Advisor for Tech & Social Impact for Grab. Grab is the leading Tech superapp that operates in 8 countries in SE Asia valued at $12 Billion. I was formerly an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs New York. I am currently also a global keynote speaker, a private investor, serves on the Board of Trustees of humanitarian organizations CareForChildren and Emancipaction, an Operating Advisor to Owl Ventures (largest Education Tech focused venture capital fund in the world), an advisory board member to GlobalSF's Women Empowerment Initiative and British real estate development firm Kinrise. I hold a B.A. from Stanford University. I am also a freelance singer, concert pianist, food critic & restaurant judge, culinary school graduate, actress in musicals & plays, and an avid scuba diver. I am dedicated to building bridges in the business and humanitarian work realms between East & West with a mission to further mass flourishing.

OSC: Who is one AAPI historical figure who has inspired you?

Ilaria: Sun Yat Sen (founding father of the modern republic of China). He overturned the corrupt Qing dynasty and imported the best human-centric leadership ideas from USA & Christianity into forming a new China (which later developed into the founding of Taiwan). He was a statesman (and not a politician), selfless enough to step down once his revolution was successful because he did not crave power, and lived a life of exile and sacrifice in order to liberate China from years of enslavement/ colonization from other countries.

OSC: What is one piece of wisdom/advice that you would like to impart to this generation of young people?

Ilaria: Humility throughout life is key. "Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more" - William Cowper

OSC: Why do you support the mission of Old Skool Cafe?

Ilaria: Old Skool reinvents a troubled young person's life by teaching them how to fish (rather than feeding them fish) where the skillset is self-sustainable. More importantly, Teresa founded Old Skool with the love of a mother's heart- which is key to any social service, it is love (and not capital or knowledge) that transforms people permanently.

OSC: You chose Chawanmushi as your favorite meal. Tell us more about that!

Ilaria: Chinese/ Japanese style steamed egg (also called Chawanmushi) with rice. It is healthy, wholesome and reminds me of home everytime I have it. The key is mix beaten eggs with equal portion of broth/ water.