A unique cooking class in Fresno is helping Hmong youth connect with their traditional roots and language. The class, called Taste of Tradition, is led by Kristy Xiong and is open to local youth aged 8-18. Xiong, who emigrated from Thailand to the United States as a child, learned to hold onto her cultural heritage through food and is now passing on her knowledge to the next generation.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

The class is a year-long, monthly program that focuses on teaching authentic Hmong dishes and preserving the Hmong language. Xiong believes that it is essential to pass on these traditions to the younger generation, saying, ‘This class is really about getting the next generation to pick up our traditions and not lose who we are.’ The class also emphasizes the importance of parents allowing their children to practice their skills at home and bond over traditional food.

The Hmong community has a rich history in the Central Valley, with over 80,000 calling the region home. The city of Fresno is home to the second-largest Hmong community in the United States, and the class is helping to preserve the community’s cultural heritage. Xiong’s goal is to teach her students the names of the dishes in Hmong, saying, ‘I want them to remember it. The youth can still learn.’

A Community Effort

The class has been well-received by the community, with a waitlist every year. Parents are grateful for the opportunity for their children to learn about their cultural heritage, with one parent saying, ‘They get to come here and they get to learn things that I won’t be able to teach them, but I know that yes, like this is part of our culture.’ The class is a valuable resource for the Hmong community, helping to preserve traditional roots and language for future generations.

Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.