We recently connected with Sam Chen and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
A “Bao” is a steamed bun and the Mandarin pronunciation of “bun” is “great”. So in Mandarin Bao & Bun means “bun is great”! Then we added “studio” because we only focus on one thing so that it can be great!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I grew up and graduated from Culinary School in Taiwan and have been working in the restaurant business for over 20 years in Taiwan, China and Philadelphia. In Philadelphia I have worked at Sampan, Buddakan, and Susanna Foo. Bao buns are the most popular street food in my country. When I decided to start my own food business I knew that bao buns were the concept which I wanted to focus on, because I knew I could do them better.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My background is west culinary which I studied and work more than 20 years. after I immigrated to unite States I realize that my west culinary background may not be my unique advantage of my food career but it will be the fundamental of my Asian fusion food.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.baobunstudio.com
- Instagram: @baobunstudio
- Facebook: baobunstudio
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bao-and-bun-studio-philadelphia?osq=Bao+Bun
Image Credits
Sam Chen, Ryan Eda