The Black Dragon | Big Kitty & Chef Kurt Evans

On this episode of Culture & Flavor, Zella talks with Big Kitty Xue, a 27-year-old Chinese chef, born and raised in Shanghai and now based between New Orleans and Los Angeles. Known for curating intimate Chinese private dinner parties that spotlight delicate, seldom-seen regional dishes in mainstream America. After moving to the U.S. and witnessing the American love affair with Chinese takeout, Big Kitty felt a deep urge to share the full depth and beauty of Chinese cuisine—its rich history, regional diversity, and culinary complexity—through thoughtfully crafted meals. A graduate of Bard College, where she studied filmmaking and languages, Big Kitty once cooked matzo ball soup with President Leon Botstein on The Big Kitty Cooking Show, blending conversation, culture, and food in unexpected ways; her storytelling extends from the kitchen to the screen. Through her work, Big Kitty not only celebrates her heritage but also challenges food racism and cultural assumptions—reminding others that cuisine is shaped by environment, resilience, and creativity. Zella then invites Chef Kurt Evans to the conversation. Chef Kurt, a Philly native and proprietor of Black Dragon Takeout, a unique fusion of Black American cuisine presented with the familiar aesthetics of classic Chinese American takeout that opened in 2024. The idea for Black Dragon Takeout originated with Chef Kurt Evans, who observed a troubling trend: local Chinese takeout restaurants were closing down, particularly in Black American communities. The second-generation Chinese Americans were no longer taking over these family businesses, leading to a significant gap in food deserts where residents had relied on these establishments for quick, hot meals for decades. Chef Kurt Evans saw an opportunity not only to fill this void but to innovate and bring something new to the table. Black Dragon Takeout is committed to providing nutritious, culturally significant dishes that celebrate Black culinary traditions, all while maintaining the beloved look and feel of Chinese takeout. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.