The Tuesday Media Diet with Sue S. Chan

Sue S. Chan (SC) was introduced to us by our friend Scott Norton (he of Sir Kensington’s and N+1 fame). She started in food working with David Chang at Momofuku and now runs an agency called Care of Chan. We are happy to have her on the page today. -Colin (CJN)

Tell us about yourself.

I'm a restaurant industry vet, who currently runs a food media agency, called Care of Chan, specializing in events, partnerships, and grassroots marketing. I'd call myself a restaurant maven, community organizer, connector, producer, and damn good party planner. I bring people together over food and ideas. I believe that food moves culture and can spark change. I gravitate towards collaborators who value conviviality, respect tradition and act purposefully. I started my career as Momofuku's brand director during what I call the "Golden Era of Dining." I'm addicted to grocery shopping. 

Describe your media diet. 

Of course, I hit all of the major food media brands: the NYT Food section, Eater, GrubStreet, and The New Yorker's food coverage. The Family Meal newsletter is my favorite industry news round-up. I also nerd out on marketing and business newsletters like Lean Luxe, The Sociology of Business, and The New Consumer. I'm a huge fan of Scott Galloway so I not only read his newsletter but also listen to his podcast with Kara Swisher, Pivot.

What’s the last great book you read?

Priya Parker's The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters really changed my approach to my work. I now am way more cognizant of creating a story and setting a purpose for the events we produce.

What are you reading now?

I just picked up Vivek H. Murthy's Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World. I'm trying to understand how to help people feel more connected in a world that keeps feeling more and more dispersed due to COVID, working from home and the digital age. I'm also excited to dive into Chef Keith Corbin's California Soul: An American Epic of Cooking and Survival. 

What’s your reading strategy when you pick up a print copy of your favorite publication?

I also do a flip through and clock which articles seem the most interesting. I'll start with the front of book sections and then go back to the articles I clocked. 

Who should everyone be reading that they’re not?

This isn't a reading suggestion but I think the world would be a better place if we watched more Criterion Collection films. New films just aren't like how they used to make them. 

What is the best non-famous app you love on your phone? 

I'm not really an app person... 

Plane or train?

Train all day. There's nothing more soothing than riding a train. I prefer it because you can also see a lot of a country when you're at ground level vs. in the sky. 

What is one place everyone should visit? 

Pantelleria, Italy. It's damn hard to get to and the island is pretty rugged, so be careful when you make it there, but it's a perfect little rustic island that transports you to a simpler time. 

Tell us the story of a rabbit hole you fell deep into. 

I moved into a new house and really wanted to find a decorative wall hanging for my bedroom. I fell upon the Gee's Bend Quilters Collective and went into a deep hole trying to find an authentic version that would fit my house that wasn't a zillion dollars. I must have sorted through every Etsy potential on the internet. I even tapped my Instagram friends for directions and concluded that it would be best if I went to Bee's Bend in Alabama to find exactly what I wanted. I have yet to book the trip. To be continued... (SC)

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Thanks for reading,

Noah (NRB) & Colin (CJN) & Sue (SC) 

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