Chuck Park, a progressive candidate running against U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, showed off his dumpling-making skills during his Dumplings and Dialogue meet and greet in Elmhurst, encouraging community connection and civic engagement in his campaign.
Photos courtesy Chuck for Queens
Chuck Park, a progressive candidate running against U.S. Rep. Grace Meng for her seat in Queens Congressional District 6, hosted a Dumplings and Dialogue meet and greet at Elm Roastery on March 19 for an evening of dumpling-making, conversation and community.
The intimate Elmhurst gathering highlighted the campaign’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion and grassroots engagement across the district.
“Politics should feel accessible and welcoming — not reserved for a select few,” Park said. “Our communal dining events are designed to bring people in, especially those who’ve felt overlooked or excluded, and give them a real seat at the table.”
According to a news release from Park’s campaign office, the event intended to blend culture and civic participation.
Attendees learned the history and traditions of dumpling-making across Korean and Chinese cultures while sharing food, stories and perspectives on the future of their community.
Guests received a hands-on dumpling-making class, unlimited dumplings and the opportunity to take extras home.
Attendees of the meet and greet made their own dumplings and participated in open discussions about their community.Photos courtesy Chuck for Queens
The event also served as a fundraiser, with tickets priced at $30 for adults and free for children — further reinforcing the campaign’s grassroots model.
“My friend invited me as I was looking for ways to get more connected with the community,” one attendee said. “I love living here, and this is a wonderful way to engage with my neighborhood and get involved in a meaningful way.”
The Dumplings and Dialogue series originally kicked off Feb. 22 in Forest Hills. Despite a looming snowstorm, the news release said, the inaugural event drew more than 50 attendees to the Yant art and coworking space on Austin Street.
Elmhurst native Jeanney Liu, Park’s campaign finance director and event organizer, emphasized the importance of these gatherings as a way to build a sense of community.
“Chuck is running a truly grassroots campaign, refusing all PAC money to ensure his work stays accountable to the constituents he serves — not corporate interests,” Liu said. “Events like this bring neighbors together, spark meaningful connections, and inspire people to take an active role in shaping their community.”
The intimate meet and greet at Elm Roastery opened the door for community members to get familiar with Park and discuss their needs.Photos courtesy Chuck for Queens
According to Park, the meet and greet campaign fundraisers reflect his broader campaign mission: to make politics more approachable and participatory, especially for those who may feel left out of traditional political spaces.
By hosting small, community-centered events, Park said the campaign fosters genuine connections between neighbors, as well as between voters and the candidate himself.
Additional Dumplings and Dialogue events are still being planned across Queens, and the campaign team said they are continuing to invite residents to engage in a new kind of political experience — one that is welcoming, participatory and rooted in community.
“This campaign is about meeting people where they are — around a table, sharing food and having real conversations,” Park said. “And it’s important to create safe spaces for community-building in the borough.”
Park, a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer who resigned in protest of Trump-era immigration policies, said he is running as part of a progressive wave challenging the political establishment.
He said his campaign has refused all corporate Political Action Committee and lobbyist money and is centered on a platform that includes Medicare for All, universal childcare, safer streets and modernized public transit.
Park said the event is intended to make politics feel accessible and welcoming, and he plans to host more of these events in the near future.Photos courtesy Chuck for Queens