Kathy Fang, daughter of the founders of San Francisco's renowned House of Nanking, defied her parents' aspirations for her by choosing to work alongside them in the family restaurant, a decision that initially met with resistance. For decades, House of Nanking, known for its long lines and iconic sign on Kearny Street in Chinatown, has been a culinary fixture. However, Peter Fang, the restaurant's patriarch, and his wife did not intend for their daughter to inherit the business, viewing cooking as a necessity rather than a career for someone with an education, according to Kathy Fang in a recent interview with Fortune.
Fang explained that her parents, holding traditional views, believed that kitchen work was a fallback option for those who did not succeed academically. "For my parents being very traditional, they also didn’t want me to do it," she said. "In fact, we have a saying that, you know, if you don’t cut it in school, you can always go be a cook because it’s considered manual labor. You don’t need to have a proper education to go work in a kitchen." She added that her parents are unaware of the foodie culture and their own fame.
The decision represents a significant departure from the American Dream her parents envisioned for her. The restaurant's success is built on Peter Fang's culinary skills and the demand for authentic Chinese cuisine, drawing crowds that often wrap around the block. Kathy Fang's choice to join the family business highlights a generational shift in perspective, where pursuing one's passion can outweigh traditional expectations of upward mobility through professional careers.
Fang's decision comes as she releases her first [article incomplete].
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