About 200 of David Leong's family members, friends, patrons and former employees celebrated his 93rd birthday Aug. 18 at Leong's Asian Diner in southwest Springfield. Leong's birthday comes weeks before the 50th anniversary of his fusion of Chinese and American cuisine that the city became known for. Springfield-style cashew chicken was first served by Leong and his family in November 1963, at the newly opened Leong's Tea House on West Sunshine Street. "David Leong is a legend. There's never been anyone like him, and there never will," said George Carden, owner of the Shrine Circus production company, whose family operated Blue Star Pizza next to Leong's Tea House. "He's one of a kind."
SBJ photos by ERIC OLSON
About 200 of David Leong's family members, friends, patrons and former employees celebrated his 93rd birthday Aug. 18 at Leong's Asian Diner in southwest Springfield. Leong's birthday comes weeks before the 50th anniversary of his fusion of Chinese and American cuisine that the city became known for. Springfield-style cashew chicken was first served by Leong and his family in November 1963, at the newly opened Leong's Tea House on West Sunshine Street. "David Leong is a legend. There's never been anyone like him, and there never will," said George Carden, owner of the Shrine Circus production company, whose family operated Blue Star Pizza next to Leong's Tea House. "He's one of a kind."
SBJ photos by ERIC OLSON
About 200 of David Leong's family members, friends, patrons and former employees celebrated his 93rd birthday Aug. 18 at Leong's Asian Diner in southwest Springfield. Leong's birthday comes weeks before the 50th anniversary of his fusion of Chinese and American cuisine that the city became known for. Springfield-style cashew chicken was first served by Leong and his family in November 1963, at the newly opened Leong's Tea House on West Sunshine Street. "David Leong is a legend. There's never been anyone like him, and there never will," said George Carden, owner of the Shrine Circus production company, whose family operated Blue Star Pizza next to Leong's Tea House. "He's one of a kind."
SBJ photos by ERIC OLSON
About 200 of David Leong's family members, friends, patrons and former employees celebrated his 93rd birthday Aug. 18 at Leong's Asian Diner in southwest Springfield. Leong's birthday comes weeks before the 50th anniversary of his fusion of Chinese and American cuisine that the city became known for. Springfield-style cashew chicken was first served by Leong and his family in November 1963, at the newly opened Leong's Tea House on West Sunshine Street. "David Leong is a legend. There's never been anyone like him, and there never will," said George Carden, owner of the Shrine Circus production company, whose family operated Blue Star Pizza next to Leong's Tea House. "He's one of a kind."
SBJ photos by ERIC OLSON
About 200 of David Leong's family members, friends, patrons and former employees celebrated his 93rd birthday Aug. 18 at Leong's Asian Diner in southwest Springfield. Leong's birthday comes weeks before the 50th anniversary of his fusion of Chinese and American cuisine that the city became known for. Springfield-style cashew chicken was first served by Leong and his family in November 1963, at the newly opened Leong's Tea House on West Sunshine Street. "David Leong is a legend. There's never been anyone like him, and there never will," said George Carden, owner of the Shrine Circus production company, whose family operated Blue Star Pizza next to Leong's Tea House. "He's one of a kind."
SBJ photos by ERIC OLSON
About 200 of David Leong's family members, friends, patrons and former employees celebrated his 93rd birthday Aug. 18 at Leong's Asian Diner in southwest Springfield. Leong's birthday comes weeks before the 50th anniversary of his fusion of Chinese and American cuisine that the city became known for. Springfield-style cashew chicken was first served by Leong and his family in November 1963, at the newly opened Leong's Tea House on West Sunshine Street. "David Leong is a legend. There's never been anyone like him, and there never will," said George Carden, owner of the Shrine Circus production company, whose family operated Blue Star Pizza next to Leong's Tea House. "He's one of a kind."
SBJ photos by ERIC OLSON
