A local restaurant will hold a fundraiser in honor of its recently deceased chef.
Head chef Avelino Rojas Vargas of Covington’s KungFood Chu’s Amerasia passed away on Jan. 5 due to COVID-related complications, leaving behind his wife and five children.
The restaurant will hold two fundraiser sales offering Chinese steamed buns, called bao. The events will be held this Saturday, Jan. 23 and next Saturday, Jan. 30, and will benefit Vargas’ family.
The sale will feature a different menu each day, with two bao options. The restaurant’s regular menu will not be available during those days.
Saturday, Jan. 23: Pork bao ($4 each) or seafood bao ($3 each). Preorders be placed by 3 p.m. on Jan. 22. Pick-up is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Jan. 23.
Saturday, Jan. 30: Pork bao ($4 each) or veggie bao ($4.50 each). Preorders must be placed by 5 p.m. on Jan. 28. Pick-up is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Jan. 30.
All orders must be placed in advance by emailing kungfoodchu@gmail.com, and orders are cash only.
The restaurant wrote about its team member and his impact on their business in a Facebook post.
“As a chef, Avelino cooked with a passion and soul that was connected by a deep understanding of what makes good food. He was not a conceited chef; he’d roll up his sleeves and do many of the difficult chores most chefs would refuse to do. Over the decades that he worked in Cincinnati and NKY restaurants, thousands of people have had the privilege of tasting his cooking, including those of you reading this now. We truly believe that if it were a different time, perhaps he would have received the recognition that many chefs of his background deserve,” the post reads.
“Avelino was not just a chef. He was most importantly a dedicated son, husband, and father, and is survived by his loving wife, son, and four daughters. He loved his family and was their champion. Their lives will be irrevocably changed by his loss, and we ask for your kind words toward the Vargas family and the KungFood staff in the coming weeks,” the post continues.
Patrons may also donate directly to a fundraiser organized by Vargas’ family, which will be used for medical and funeral expenses.
KungFood Chu’s Amerasia, 521 Madison Ave., Covington.
This article appears in Jan 1-31, 2021.