GridgeFridge — the Morgridge Center for Public Service podcast — released the third episode of its second season about building community across careers with State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison).
Before she was elected to office in 2020, Hong was an entrepreneur and restaurant owner. The Madison native opened up her first restaurant, Morris Ramen, in 2016 near the capitol. As Hong’s network within the culinary world grew, she founded a network of chefs and other culinary professionals called the Culinary Ladies Collective. After watching social issues she cared about in the service industry become exacerbated by the pandemic, Hong decided to run for assembly in hopes to spur change.
In GridgeFridge’s third episode, we talk with Hong about the intertwined nature of culinary and community work, her path to public service and how students can serve their communities with the unique talents they bring to the table.
To learn more about how to get involved with your community, check out the BadgersVote webpage or schedule a meeting with a peer advisor to find a community opportunity that fits your interests.