Billy Dec is an entrepreneur and restaurateur who opened Sunda New Asian Cuisine in his home city of Chicago in 2009. He opened a downtown Detroit location of Sunda in March, located between the Fox and Fillmore Theatres. He is also the subject of a new documentary on PBS called “Food Roots,” executive produced by Detroit native Doug Blush (“Coldwater Kitchen”) and directed by Michele Josue (“Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine,” “Happy Jail”).
“Food Roots” follows Dec on a personal journey as he travels back to his mother’s native Philippines to learn his family’s traditional recipes from his remaining Filipino relatives. Along the way, learning these recipes leads Dec to stories from his family’s history, and a journey of more deeply connecting him with his Filipino heritage and culture.
One Detroit’s Chris Jordan spoke to Dec about the film and the newly opened Sunda New Asian Detroit. Dec also spoke about what makes Filipino cuisine unique, how it reflects the history and culture of the Philippines as well as his favorite dishes.