Ascend NorCal May Heritage Month -
Spices, Stories & Heritage: The Indo-Japanese Curry Experience
A Flavorful Celebration of AAPI Heritage Through Curry, Culture, and Community
Event Details
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Venue: New Delhi Restaurant, 160 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Admission: Members: $65 I Non-Members: $85
Attire: Business Casual
Description
Join us for the Ascend NorCal May Heritage Month Celebration: Spices & Stories – The Indo-Japanese Curry Journey, featuring Chef Ranjan Dey and Kats Furuyama. This special evening explores how curry, rooted in Indian tradition, evolved into a Japanese cultural staple, shaped by colonial history and cross-cultural exchange. Through food and whiskey tastings from India and Japan, we’ll dive into how culinary identity bridges communities, sparks innovation, and honors AAPI heritage. Discover how shared traditions can fuel leadership, connection, and cultural resilience in today’s global world.
Speakers
Chef Ranjan Dey
Chef and Owner
New Delhi Restaurant
Chef Ranjan Dey is an acclaimed restaurateur, television personality, and spice trailblazer known for his bold flavors and cultural storytelling. He is the chef-owner of New Delhi Restaurant, a San Francisco institution celebrating over three decades of Indian culinary excellence. Born in Kolkata and classically trained in India and Europe, Chef Dey blends tradition with innovation, introducing generations to the richness of Indian cuisine. Beyond the kitchen, he is a passionate cultural ambassador who uses food to build bridges between communities. Through his global spice line and public speaking, Chef Dey has championed the power of flavor to spark conversation, foster connection, and celebrate heritage. His work has been featured on the Food Network, PBS, and international culinary stages.
Kats Furuyama
Co-President of Ascend NorCal
Strategic HR Business Partner, Robert Half
Kats Furuyama is the Co-President of Ascend NorCal, where he leads the chapter in advancing professional growth, leadership development, and cross-cultural connection. He is passionate about elevating AAPI voices, creating inclusive spaces, and building meaningful community through intentional programming. Kats curates experiences that connect culture with leadership—bringing together professionals, executives, and community partners to foster connection and impact. He works at Robert Half as a Strategic HR Business Partner and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the UC Davis College of Letters and Science, supporting initiatives that expand career access, alumni engagement, and student success.
Safety of our guests is paramount to Ascend. Attendees are responsible for monitoring their own condition and agree to comply with the safety, hygiene and CDC identified pandemic level communicable illnesses (including COVID-19) guidelines established by relevant health authorities. We request that attendees not attend an event should they test positive or if they experience COVID symptoms prior to the event.