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The Tuk Tuk Box Cookbook

Help Us Bring the Food, Stories, and Joy From Our Southeast Asian Kitchens to Yours!

$13,270
pledged of$30,000 goal
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Project Description

 IFW Caress Dreams Fund Banner

Bring the Food, Stories, and Joy From Our Southeast Asian Kitchens to Yours!

Tuk Tuk Box is a mission-driven, first-generation Southeast Asian women-owned and founded specialty food retailer whose mission is to create economic opportunities, advocate for, and uplift the Southeast Asian community by using food and storytelling as a catalyst for change.

We are so excited to announce that we are part of the 2022 IFundWomen Caress Dreams Fund this year. 

THE CAMPAIGN GOALS

Goal #1: $30,000 - Publish a high-quality cookbook prototype that will be available for pre-order purchase: This entails: Full-time staff to manage development, pay community members for their time and recipes, videographers and photographers, travel to community members,  graphic design, copywriting and editing. Costs of hardcover print, publishing fees, and additional print costs 

Goal #2: $50,000 - Publish and print cookbooks, cover platform software, trademark, and insurance fees including a social media campaign and a Marketplace launch for pantry staples featured in the cookbook 

STRETCH- Goal #3: $100,000 - Additional funds raised will be used to employ more community members to further support expanding operations such as fulfillment, packaging upgrades, and salary payment for our team. 

Help Us Bring the Food, Stories, and Joy From Our Southeast Asian Kitchens to Yours

Tuk Tuk Box is coming out with our first ever Tuk Tuk Cookbook!

We are raising $30,000 this summer to help us create our first cookbook titled, "Tuk Tuk Cookbook: Funky Fresh Flavors and Southeast Asian Stories (TBD)" featuring our Southeast Asian journey, community stories, and recipes from our extensive network of talented and passionate chefs, home cooks, and family.

Saving Our Family Recipes, Sharing Them With the World

As daughters of Southeast Asian Americans, we know there’s a longstanding tradition of oral history in our communities. This is usually how customs are passed down and recipes are shared. However, for first, second, and third-generation children, these stories are being lost with our elders as there’s often a language and literacy barrier. Over the past decade, we have personally been collecting stories and recipes from Southeast Asians all over the globe and have curated a collection on our website with over 100 digital narratives at no cost to the public. Our dream is to compile these culinary histories into a beautifully photographed hardcopy publication that introduces our people’s food and provides accurate cultural and historical accounts in the storyteller's voice. A true anthology by and for the people. 

A Comprehensive Southeast Asian Cookbook with a Mission-Driven Purpose

There are plenty of other cookbooks focusing on one specific cuisine, but we are offering all of Southeast Asia! We at Tuk Tuk Box advocate for visibility because of our historically marginalized status so we wanted to create an inclusive cookbook with recipes and insight from esteemed chefs, creatives, entrepreneurs, and food bloggers from Indonesia to Myanmar. We're going to introduce new dishes you've never seen before and also teach you how to make our childhood comforts. Our chef friends will urge you to decolonize your cuisine and lean into ancestral cooking and also help you find shortcuts or substitutes in order to achieve the same taste as grandma's. Whether you're in the diaspora desperate to taste home or you just want to learn something new in the kitchen, there is something delicious waiting for everyone!

Our food doesn’t just feed us; it transports us back in time and place. For most Southeast Asian families, food is one of our main sources of comfort.⁠ It's a love language, a way to connect, heal, and reacquaint yourself with 'home' -whatever that means to you. At Tuk Tuk Box, we use food not only as a catalyst for social change, but to highlight the amazing achievements of our community. This has helped lead us in the direction of creating a community cookbook and why we’re calling on our ifundwomen family for your support. 

$30,000 will help us cover the cost of travel, participant stipends, copywriting, editing, photography, creating a prototype, and so much more! 

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

We are so grateful for your support! Below are three options to get involved with this campaign:

  1. Subscribe to our newsletter! (Use CARESSIFW for 10% off your first purchase) 
  2. Donate to this campaign (see rewards on the right-hand side) ​​​​​.
  3. Share this campaign & help us spread the word!

If you are a company or small business and would like to be featured on the Tuk Tuk Box Community Page, please visit the FAQs section on our website

HOW YOUR SUPPORT HELPS

Your support helps us pay equitable wages to all of our community partners. Through this community-funded cookbook, we can continue supporting our charity partner, Courageous Kitchen, a 501c3 in Bangkok, Thailand that aids asylum-seeking families through food, education, housing, and medical aid. 

We are dedicated to donating 10% from each cookbook to Courageous Kitchen or our other Asian Pacific Islander community partners who we'll also hire to assist in the development of this book. With the aforementioned cost associated with production, such as photography, editing, and content creation we are committed to exclusively hiring Southeast Asian or BIPOC contractors in order to drive economic development in historically disenfranchised communities. 

This is for the aunties making sambal from scratch, the uncles tossing the woks in the hot summer heat, and the little kid in all of us who has dreamt of seeing themselves reflected on the pages of their books. It's for our elders to breathe that sigh of relief knowing that their food, their stories, and their love won't be forgotten.

Thank you for helping us realize this dream and share our joy with the world. 

Spread Asian Joy is one of many campaigns we have to help uplift our Southeast Asian Community

 

Tuk Tuk Box is for everyone and anyone with an appetite for trying/learning something new; for those of us in the diaspora desperate to taste memories and reconnect with their communities to make new ones; for companies and organizations ready and willing to facilitate spaces that celebrate uniqueness and diversity; for anyone who wants to feel good and fully conscious of what they’re eating and who they’re supporting in that process. 

 

To learn more about our value propositions visit our website: tuktukbox.com

To learn more about our value propositions please visit TukTukBox.com

 

 

 

We are the first Southeast Asian owned and operated subscription box model on the US Market

 

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

Got questions? Say Hello: [email protected]

To learn more about our value propositions visit our website: tuktukbox.com

  • More about Tuk Tuk Box:

We are the first  Southeast Asian-owned and operated subscription box model in the US market that prioritizes partnering with Southeast Asian entrepreneurs, local farmers, chefs, and artists. We promote collective healing through our products by amplifying the talent, ingenuity, and resilience of the Southeast Asian community. One of our direct acts of service is donating 10% of our proceeds to our charity partner, Courageous Kitchen, a 501c3 food education non-profit based in Thailand. Each subscription box not only provides snacks as a cultural entry point to Southeast Asia, but also features refugee, migrant, and immigrant stories to build awareness and forge connections. Topics around social justice are critical to our work, and we hope to engage in these tough conversations about issues such as racism and exploitation within the Southeast Asian communities by sharing their stories.

  • Who are the Founders of Tuk Tuk Box

Christy: is a Lao Isan American daughter of refugees. She is the Founder of Tuk Tuk Box and co-founder of Courageous Kitchen, a 501c3 charity for internationally displaced persons, including survivors of forced migration and trauma. As Deputy Director of a 501c3, she has nearly a decade of progressive fieldwork experience with proven leadership to support team culture and business operations through global equity and inclusion initiatives and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Her expertise in international aid and community programming include: health advocacy, organizational leadership, mentoring, workshop facilitation, and English language education. She has experience in recruiting and managing teams through trauma-informed care for survivors of humanitarian disasters. ​​Before pursuing her entrepreneurial career, Christy studied Hospitality Management at Brooklyn College. In 2017, she launched a social enterprise teaching Thai cooking courses for tourists and began developing a Southeast Asian cookbook. Her work and recipes have been featured by Bangkok 101 Magazine, Travel + Leisure Asia, San Diego Union Tribune, and Buzzfeed.

Beatriz: is a daughter of immigrants whose family hails from Pangasinan, and the Bisayan Islands in the Philippines and Jakarta, Indonesia. She holds a Masters in Public Health, completed programs in indigenous and migration health at the University of Peace in Costa Rica, maternal health at the National School of Public Health in Havana Cuba, and is a candidate for a Masters in Global Health at Northwestern University. Beatriz currently serves as a Public Health consultant on topics such as trauma prevention, mental health, and the social determinants of health with a background in health policy and law where she has worked on California and federal legislative initiatives. She is passionate about breaking down barriers, creating economic opportunities and uplifting communities of color while striving to be an agent of change for the Southeast Asian community. 

  • How will the money be used

At Tuk Tuk Box, we use food not only as a catalyst for social change, but to highlight the amazing achievements of our community. This has helped lead us in the direction of creating a community cookbook and why we’re calling on our ifundwomen family for your support. 

$30,000 will help us cover the cost of travel, participant stipends, copywriting, editing, photography, creating a prototype, and so much more!

  • When will I receive my rewards

Please ensure to provide the best email and shipping address to receive your rewards. Tuk Tuk Box's current turnaround time for product shipping is 5-7 business days. You will receive an email that includes your tracking number if you are receiving a physical product 

  • Why are you crowdfuding

Goal #1: $30,000 - Publish a high quality cookbook that will be available to purchase: This entails: Full time staff to manage development, pay community members for their time and recipes, videographers and photographers, travel to community members, graphic design. Costs of hardcover print, publishing fees, and additional print costs 

Goal #2: $50,000 - Cover website, software, and insurance including updates for a Marketplace launch for goods featured in cookbook 

Goal #3: $100,000 - Additional funds raised will be used to employ more community members to further support expanding operations such as fulfillment, packaging upgrades, and salary payment for our team. 

  • Community Challenges Tuk Tuk Box Addresses

Southeast Asians have historically been left out of conversations and spaces, ethnically, politically, in the media, and even in the food industry. We are trying to break through these barriers, using the one thing that unites us: food.

Our mission is to infuse our food with our stories because food, culture, and history are intertwined. We are building a bridge between the real people behind the dishes to the masses who consume them.

 

Gabe
08/15/2022
Funkylicious Title + Sticker
$39
Pimjai Taksana
08/07/2022
Monetary Contribution
$100
Fiona Harvey
07/31/2022
First Dibs + Discount on Tote & Cookbook
$50
Anonymous
07/30/2022
Monetary Contribution
$50
Meng
07/29/2022
First Dibs + Discount on Tote & Cookbook
$50
Lady Wong
07/25/2022
Outchere Spreading Asian Joy
$100
Diane Thepkhounphithack
07/23/2022
Tuk Tuk Driver 👑
$199
Kelton Cumberbatch
07/21/2022
Outchere Spreading Asian Joy
$120
Lava G. Khonsuwon
07/13/2022
Funkylicious Title + Sticker
$25
Cameron Law
07/11/2022
Tuk Tuk Driver 👑
$199
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

We so love you for supporting us in uplifting Southeast Asian voices and we want to connect with you!

You're part of our Tuk Tuk Box community and you're now invited to join our online community on Discord! 

Come share and connect! 

11 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
The Funkylicious Title

Thanks for supporting our funky ideas! You will receive a 10% discount code off of your next Tuk Tuk Box Order

Access our Tuk Tuk Box Community on Discord! This is your invitation to join us to share and connect :)

144 Left
6 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Funkylicious Title + Sticker

Thanks for supporting our funky ideas!

You will receive a FUNKYLICIOUS sticker and access to our Tuk Tuk Box Community on Discord!

15 Left
11 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
First Dibs + Discount on Tote & Cookbook

Be the first in line to order and get 25% off discount code for the Tote and Cookbook upon its release

+Funkylicious sticker and Tuk Tuk Box Discord Access

90 Left
10 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Outchere Spreading Asian Joy

Spread Asian Joy tee

+First Dibs and Discount upon release

+ Funkylicious Sticker 

+Tuk Tuk Box Community Member on Discord

84 Left
16 Supporters
Select this reward
199.00 USD
Tuk Tuk Driver 👑

Exclusive access to the digital & a physical copy of the cookbook once it's released!

+Spread Asian Joy Tee + Funkylicious Snacks

+First Dibs and Discount Code

+Funkylicious Sticker 

+Access our Tuk Tuk Box Community on Discord

5 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Funkylicious Angel 👼🏽👼🏻

Exclusive pre release access to digital cookbook, first round shipping of hardcover signed copy, and a tote bag to match and take the market!

Spread Asian Joy Tee + Funkylicious Snacks

+Funkylicious Sticker 

+Access our Tuk Tuk Box Community on Discord

1 Supporter
Select this reward
1,500.00 USD
The Founders Bundle 💸

Everything the Funkylicious Angel receives + 3 month subscription to the Southeats Snack Box

0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
🎞️The Storyteller & Asian Joy Sharer 📽️

The Founders Bundle + 12 month subscription to Southeats Snack Box

0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,500.00 USD
SPONSORSHIP: Funky Friend

📕Dedicated recipe feature, all of the above and copy of the completed cookbook 

By supporting our efforts, you’re pledging to be a change agent and ally for Southeast Asians and the greater global Asian community.

1 Supporter
Select this reward
250.00 USD
SPONSORSHIP: Tuk Tuk Driver

💡Featured logo on sponsorship page, and social media shoutout

 

By supporting our efforts, you’re pledging to be a change agent and ally for Southeast Asians and the greater global Asian community.

0 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
SPONSORSHIP: Funky Friend $500

📢Half page brand feature, featured logo on sponsorship page, and social media shoutout

3 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
SPONSORSHIP: FUNKY FRESH ANGEL

😇👼🏽featured product in *pantry staples*, dedicated video shoutout, five cookbooks, and a lifetime corporate discount code

0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Concord, CA
Created 2 Campaigns
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

We so love you for supporting us in uplifting Southeast Asian voices and we want to connect with you!

You're part of our Tuk Tuk Box community and you're now invited to join our online community on Discord! 

Come share and connect! 

11 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
The Funkylicious Title

Thanks for supporting our funky ideas! You will receive a 10% discount code off of your next Tuk Tuk Box Order

Access our Tuk Tuk Box Community on Discord! This is your invitation to join us to share and connect :)

144 Left
6 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Funkylicious Title + Sticker

Thanks for supporting our funky ideas!

You will receive a FUNKYLICIOUS sticker and access to our Tuk Tuk Box Community on Discord!

15 Left
11 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
First Dibs + Discount on Tote & Cookbook

Be the first in line to order and get 25% off discount code for the Tote and Cookbook upon its release

+Funkylicious sticker and Tuk Tuk Box Discord Access

90 Left
10 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Outchere Spreading Asian Joy

Spread Asian Joy tee

+First Dibs and Discount upon release

+ Funkylicious Sticker 

+Tuk Tuk Box Community Member on Discord

84 Left
16 Supporters
Select this reward
199.00 USD
Tuk Tuk Driver 👑

Exclusive access to the digital & a physical copy of the cookbook once it's released!

+Spread Asian Joy Tee + Funkylicious Snacks

+First Dibs and Discount Code

+Funkylicious Sticker 

+Access our Tuk Tuk Box Community on Discord

5 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Funkylicious Angel 👼🏽👼🏻

Exclusive pre release access to digital cookbook, first round shipping of hardcover signed copy, and a tote bag to match and take the market!

Spread Asian Joy Tee + Funkylicious Snacks

+Funkylicious Sticker 

+Access our Tuk Tuk Box Community on Discord

1 Supporter
Select this reward
1,500.00 USD
The Founders Bundle 💸

Everything the Funkylicious Angel receives + 3 month subscription to the Southeats Snack Box

0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
🎞️The Storyteller & Asian Joy Sharer 📽️

The Founders Bundle + 12 month subscription to Southeats Snack Box

0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,500.00 USD
SPONSORSHIP: Funky Friend

📕Dedicated recipe feature, all of the above and copy of the completed cookbook 

By supporting our efforts, you’re pledging to be a change agent and ally for Southeast Asians and the greater global Asian community.

1 Supporter
Select this reward
250.00 USD
SPONSORSHIP: Tuk Tuk Driver

💡Featured logo on sponsorship page, and social media shoutout

 

By supporting our efforts, you’re pledging to be a change agent and ally for Southeast Asians and the greater global Asian community.

0 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
SPONSORSHIP: Funky Friend $500

📢Half page brand feature, featured logo on sponsorship page, and social media shoutout

3 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
SPONSORSHIP: FUNKY FRESH ANGEL

😇👼🏽featured product in *pantry staples*, dedicated video shoutout, five cookbooks, and a lifetime corporate discount code

0 Supporters
Select this reward