Always a banquet highlight, CAAN's Lion Dance and Drumming Team will perform, weaving through the restaurant.

Wild Ginger to host annual CAAN dinner
By KERRI BARTLETT
For Brentwood Home Page
The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville will breathe fire into the Chinese New Year in celebration of the Year of the Dragon at a festive banquet held at Wild Ginger restaurant on Sunday.

The Chinese New Year is based on a lunar calendar and is often referred to as the "Lunar New Year." The holiday signifies one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture, in which families gather for a special meal and wish good fortune to all in the New Year.

An authentic Chinese eight-course meal will be served at the banquet including Honey Glazed BBQ Char-Siew Pork as a starter, Crispy Whole Fish and Sautéed Shrimp and Scallops in a special sauce as main dishes, and Longan Lychee Almond Custard for dessert.

Jen-Jen Lin, director and founder of CAAN, said, “Many times people think of Chinese food in a stereotypical way. They think of it as buffet-style, cheap and not fresh. Many times you see people eating with disposable chopsticks from a cardboard box, but this is not the Chinese way of eating. Chinese food should be eaten fresh, straight from the wok.”

Lin said that the food and its presentation at the banquet will reflect quality and elegance in order to create an authentic Chinese fine dining experience. Aside from the upscale Chinese food served at the banquet, which has a delicious reputation, plenty of opportunities to absorb some knowledge about the Chinese culture and its New Year traditions will be available.

CAAN collaborated with Wild Ginger in the selection of dishes presented on the menu, which were chosen according to Chinese symbolism and tradition. Lin said that fish symbolizes surplus, having more than enough in the New Year. Noodles symbolize longevity. “You do not want your noodles to break or cut your noodles while eating. You want your life to be long and prosperous,” Lin said. Also, oranges and many vegetables symbolize heath and good luck to set a positive tone for the New Year as well.

Always a banquet highlight, CAAN's Lion Dance and Drumming Team will perform, weaving through the restaurant costumed as an ornate, colorful dragon slinking around tables. Also, in keeping with Chinese tradition, a red envelope with money inside will be given to the restaurant owner as a symbol of prosperity and success in the New Year, referred to as “lucky money.” Lin said that she is very happy to spend the evening with friends and family in a special atmosphere and feels blessed that so many people enjoy the event each year. As an outcome of the event, she hopes that people will enjoy time spent with loved ones and see the true value of Chinese culture in its food, culture and traditions.

This is the third year that Wild Ginger has hosted the banquet with an average of about 130 guests each year. “It’s a wonderful event that gives others the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and food,” general manager Darryl Carey said.

The CAAN New Year celebration was voted “Best Annual Food Event” in 2011 by the Nashville Scene. Wild Ginger was recognized in Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazines in 2010.

Wild Ginger is located at 101 Market Square in east Cool Springs. The New Year’s celebration is set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Limited seating is available and reservations are required. The cost is $80 per person and $600 for a table of eight. To confirm a reservation, please contact Jen-Jen- Lin at chineseartsalliance@gmail.com or call 615-292-6204. A mini-silent auction will also be held.

Thirty-five percent of the proceeds from the event will go to CAAN, which is a not-for-profit arts organization that promotes the awareness, understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Chinese visual and performing arts.

For more information, visit www.chineseartsalliance.org or www.dinewildginger.com.