Community to Kick Off Reopening of Flushing with Film Screening

Community organizations are hosting the premiere of a documentary film on wildly successful local eatery Joe’s Steam Rice Roll, by filmmakers Daniel Nalladurai and Helena Kincaid-Nalladurai of Sixty First Productions. This screening will take place on Friday, June 26, 5-7pm, via YouTube on the Museum of Food & Drink’s YouTube Channel. To RSVP and get more information, visit riceroll.eventbrite.com.

New York City is expected to enter Phase 2 of business reopening this week with guidance issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill DiBlasio allowing restaurants in Flushing and other neighborhoods across the five boroughs to open for outdoor dining for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic three months ago.

"The Chamber is excited to kick off the reopening of our business community with the global premier of Sixty First Production’s documentary film on Joe’s Steam Rice Roll, one of the amazing eateries that makes Flushing such a foodie destination," stated Taehoon Kim, president of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. "Our business community was devastated by the pandemic and we welcome all New Yorkers to come back and help Flushing get back on our feet."

The event, which is free and open to the public, is organized by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, Sixty First Productions and Joe DiStefano in partnership with the Museum of Food & Drink (MOFAD) and the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA). Event details and link to the YouTube Live video will be provided to those who register in advance at riceroll.eventbrite.com.

“Joe’s Steam Rice Roll is one of my favorite places to eat in downtown Flushing, but more important to me than his delicious cheong fun is Joe Rong’s indomitable spirit,” said Queens food writer Joe DiStefano. “That spirit fueled the vision for a business squarely focused on this classic Cantonese comfort food, and I believe motivated him to be one of the first hawker stands to reopen in Flushing’s Chinatown.”

The film is part of “First Stop on the 7,” a video series that explores what it means to be an immigrant entrepreneur in New York City today. First Stop on the 7 highlights the personal stories of business owners and the hurdles they've overcome to find success. This episode features Joe Rong, owner of Joe's Steam Rice Roll, a humble food stall, in Flushing, Queens, selling authentic Cantonese rice rolls that has received critical acclaim from The New York Times and has branched out to the East Village and Manhattan’s Chinatown since opening in 2017.

“The Chamber is proud to present this virtual screening as part of our Flushing Rising campaign to encourage New Yorkers to return and support our business community. We are here to say Flushing is very much alive and here to stay,” stated John Choe, executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “Daniel and Helena’s film series, First Stop on the 7, is an ode to the amazing entrepreneurs who have struggled so hard and overcome the odds. If you can make it in Flushing, you can make it anywhere!”

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Cathy Erway, author of the cookbook “The Food of Taiwan” and the memoir “The Art of Eating In.” Panelists will include filmmakers Daniel Nalladurai and Helena Kincaid-Nalladurai; John Choe, executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce; Peter J. Kim, executive director of MOFAD; Eric Sze, Chef of Taiwanese restaurant 886; and Andrew Rebatta, associate curator of MOCA; and local food writer and tour guide, Joe DiStefano.

“Thank you Sixty First Productions for shining a light on immigrant entrepreneurs, adapting to new environments and expanding the notion of home for our diverse communities,” said Andrew Rebatta, associate curator of MOCA.

Event details and link to the YouTube Live video will be provided to those who register in advance at riceroll.eventbrite.com.