Discover Food Sources in Philly! - Asian Markets in Philadelphia

La Sripanawongsa and David Dettmann are teaming up for a hands-on cooking class at the Culinary Literacy Center in Parkway Central Library on Thursday, November 12. The session is part of the center's monthly Discover Food Sources in Philly! series, which each month spotlights a different local food source—a market, a garden, or a cooperative—and this time the focus is on the Asian markets of Philadelphia.

Sripanawongsa brings a personal connection to the table: she's a local educator born and raised in Isaan, the northeast region of Thailand known for its bold, spicy flavors and ingredients like fermented fish, sour pork, and tropical herbs. She's spent more than 15 years blending cultural storytelling with community education. Dettmann is a Philadelphia food writer and the Associate Director of the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania; he also runs the blog Asian Markets of Philadelphia, which maps out the hundred or so markets in the city catering to East, Southeast, South, Central, and West Asian communities.

Together they'll lead the class through two Thai dishes: yum salads and fried "bundle of gold" dumplings. Along the way, they'll share tips on where to find Southeast Asian pantry staples and produce around the city, so you'll walk away with more than just a recipe—you'll know where to shop for the ingredients. The session is for adults 18 and over.

It runs from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Culinary Literacy Center, located on the 4th floor of Parkway Central Library at 1901 Vine Street. Admission is free.