User:Jed Edgardo/Kasama

Lead
Kasama is a Filipino bakery and restaurant located in Chicago, Illinois that became the first Filipino restaurant in the world to receive a Michelin Star. It is headed by married couple, Genie Kwon and Tim Flores. Kasama opened during the Covid-19 pandemic on July 29, 2020. They offer pastries, Filipino street food and barbecue, and a 13-course fine dining Filipino inspired menu.

History
Kwon and Flores opened Kasama on July 29, 2020, in Chicago Illinois. It started as a takeout restaurant with pastries and Filipino street food that could be eaten on their patio in front of the restaurant. Kasama quickly gained popularity among their Chicago community for their food. To adjust to the demands for increased wages caused by the pandemic, they started a 13-course fine-dining menu. The restaurant began serving this menu on November 27, 2021.

Awards

 * Eater’s Best New Restaurants list (November, 2021)
 * America’s Favorite Restaurants list (New York Times, 2021)
 * Michelin Star (April, 2022)
 * Nomination for Best New Restaurant (James Beard Award, 2022)

Social Impact
Kasama’s success has brought pride to the Filipino community. Since their cuisine is primarily Filipino based, their fame has brought high recognition to Filipino cuisine in America. Kasama’s Filipino influenced food has been featured in articles by the New York Times, Eater Chicago, and Food and Wine. The News Press reports that Kasama’s award of the Michelin Star is  amongst other “wins” for the Filipino-American community.