MOCA TALKS with Clarissa Wei

About this event

Reserve Tickets Become a Member $15 General Admission | $38 General Admission and Signed Book | $10 Student & Senior | $5 MOCA Members The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) welcomes award-winning food writer Clarissa Wei for an engaging conversation celebrating her new cookbook, Sitting the Month: Postpartum Recipes for Rest & Recovery. In discussion with second-generation Taiwanese herbalist and recipe collaborator Stella Wang and moderated by food editor Genevieve Yam, the program explores the rich culinary traditions surrounding postpartum recovery in Chinese culture and the enduring wisdom behind the practice of 坐月子 zuò yuè zi, or “sitting the month.” Across Chinese communities, the first month after childbirth has long been regarded as a vital period of healing, supported by rest, herbal remedies, and nourishing meals believed to restore strength and replenish the body. Inspired by her own experience as a new mother in Taiwan, Wei combines 88 nourishing recipes with practical guidance and personal storytelling to illustrate a centuries-old tradition for contemporary home cooks. Together, the speakers will discuss the intersections of food, motherhood, health, and cultural identity while examining how culinary practices preserve family knowledge and connect us to our heritage. Whether you are an expectant or new parent, a caregiver, a food enthusiast, or simply curious about culinary traditions, this conversation offers a thoughtful exploration of care, resilience, and the enduring power of food to nourish both body and community. With generous support from Chiyo, which offers nutrition programs for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum, attendees can also enjoy complimentary bites of Gingery Chicken Congee, Spiced Goji Berry Brownies, and Astragalus & Jujube Tonic from the cookbook. About Clarissa Wei Clarissa Wei is the author of Made in Taiwan, winner of an IACP Award and finalist for a James Beard Award. Her writing has been published in The New…

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