Acclaimed author and filmmaker Curtis Chin will launch his Canadian book tour in Sarnia, celebrating the cultural legacy of family-run Chinese restaurants and their role in shaping local identity
Tang’s China House, located at 165 Cromwell St, Sarnia, will host a cultural dinner and book reading on Sunday, April 19, 2026, featuring author and filmmaker Curtis Chin. The event centres on Chin’s memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, which explores his upbringing in Detroit’s Chinatown.
This gathering marks the first stop of Chin’s Canadian tour. It serves as a celebration of Chinese and Chinese Canadian families who have utilized their restaurants as cultural anchors within their communities for generations.
Chin’s memoir reflects on resilience, entrepreneurship, and the role food plays in preserving heritage. Through a lens of humour and honesty, he shares his journey of embracing his identity as a gay, American-born Chinese individual while working in his family’s business.
"This event is about honouring the stories of our parents and grandparents," says Lillian Tang, owner and host. She notes that family restaurants have long shaped both identity and opportunity for those in the community.
The evening includes a multi-course Chinese dinner, a live reading, a moderated discussion, and a book signing. Tickets include a copy of the memoir, with the event capped at 80 guests to maintain an intimate, curated experience.
Proceeds from the evening will support the Lambton Chinese Canadian Association’s children’s programming. Organizers have set a minimum fundraising goal of $2,000 to help strengthen cultural awareness and community connections in Sarnia-Lambton.
By bringing together community leaders and families, the event highlights the importance of independent storytelling over institutional narratives. It invites residents to engage with the lived realities of the Chinese diaspora through a shared dining experience.
