With every great event, are those producers and players from all walks of life. This is critical to a well-rounded, diverse event. Event Directors from afar have recognized the need to engage and utilize creative geniuses that indulge in various art forms to create offer a fresh and rich perspective to make their event the absolute BEST!!! Miz Chris of Eden Pride-San Francisco has recognized this crucial aspect and has used it to provide the Greatest entertainment events on this side of the world. Sweet Tooth Media had an opportunity to catch up with one of Eden's Team Members for an up close and personal interview regarding her involvement with Eden Pride.
Ladies, gentlemen, and gentlewomen, please meet Charleen Caabay, Eden in the Bay Outreach Director, Chef Extraordinaire and Owner of Kain'Bigan. Charleen Caabay (aka Chikun), a woman of color – Filipina decent, has geared her support and energy into building positive relationships with one another, in hopes for a greater Queer community. Actively promoting for different women events in the Bay area – Goodtimes, Hotbox, Bliss, and Eden she is always on the move, and eager to build. Outside of the lime light, she’s found love with satisfying many appetites catering to many, as owner and chef of Kain’Bigan.
CC: I always believed that with great leaders, a great team, passion and commitment will lead to great things.
STM: As a Chef, how important is accuracy when preparing for a difficult group?
CC: Accuracy is very important. When people love what you do, others will want the same experience too. Share the love is what they all say and it's true. As a Chef, I put in as much energy and time when I'm catering to any group. If there are specifics that they need, I always try my best to cater to their needs – very important.
STM: With SF being known as one of the largest arenas for LGBT Pride celebrations, Prior do Eden did you find it necessary to have something specific for the ladies?
CC: Prior to Eden, I've always found it necessary to have something specific for the ladies. There were always scattered women parties here and there, but nothing like a women's pride weekend where it's pretty much a onestop shop. There's options for EVERYONE, and even if you don't go to all the parties, it's still totally worth it!
STM: What is the key component in satisfying many appetites?
CC: That's like asking the secret ingredient in a recipe! I love sharing my secrets though. I would say taste, if you can pack a punch in a single hors d'oeuvre bite to a full course meal, and have the person look at you like “What did you put in here ~ it's AMAZING!” then I know I'm doing something right. :)
STM: June is PRIDE month, and I think its only fair, to share with us your coming out story.
CC: Let's see, I was able 19years old, I was always out and about in the party scene. I was open to all parties. I remember one of my best friends was already “out” she would always encouraged me to go with her to “gay clubs”. At the time “Jaded, Faith, Backstreet, and Club Q” were the rotating clubs I found myself going to on a monthly basis. I felt just right, I met so many people, people who were so open to their sexuality, where it didn't matter what role you played. But it was a place where you can just be. With that in mind, I slowly opened my options and consciously found a LOVE for women in all corners. Emotionally, physically, I have always had an attraction towards women it was just never put out on the table. I finally embraced my queer sexuality, and was totally accepted. The BEST feeling EVER and the rest was history!
STM: In celebrating PRIDE, how important is Progress in the LGBTQ community?
CC: Progress is very important in the LGBTQ community. Change is always constant, and there's always room for growth. There's so many things that our community are still fighting for like marriage, and we all have to stay strong and committed in order for change to succeed.
STM: Do you think there will ever be total equality in this life?
CC: I have strong hope that there will be total equality in this lifetime. I'm not saying that it's going to be easy, but if we keep moving forward, each progress counts!
STM: Do you see a separation that exists even in the LGBTQ community on any level?
CC: There's always a separation within our community, not a bad thing. Everyone has different likes, and associate with different things. But it's always great seeing everyone come together during PRIDE, because we are all celebrating as one.
STM: Being a chef involves coordination and creativity, what’s the most difficult thing about creating?
CC: Having so many different ideas on how to make that creation a masterpiece. It's endless and it always feels good when people appreciate and enjoy it at the same time.
STM: How has being a chef provided you with the edge to take on event promotions?
CC: Three things that tie it together, love for my people, food, and community. I found my niche in cooking for people, and found great joy in it. I developed a drive in bringing everyone together, whether it's an intimate house party or a mega club event, everyone always wants to have a good time and life should always be that way.
STM:Where can we find more information about Chikun and Kain’bigan?
CC: You can definitely find more information on my website: www.kainbigan.com or you can check
out my facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/kainbigan/219300829327 where I love sharing about my Filipino culture, daily affirmations, food pictures, events, Interview Questions for Charleen Caabay and other organizations that I support.
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