In this episode of GridgeFridge, we’re thrilled to welcome Francesca Hong, the state assembly representative for the greater Madison area. Before she was elected to office in 2020, Hong was an entrepreneur and restaurant owner. Hong opened up her first restaurant, Morris Ramen, in 2016 near the capitol. As Hong’s network within the culinary world grew, she went on to found a network of female chefs and other professionals in the industry called the Culinary Ladies Collective. After watching social issues she cared about become exacerbated by the pandemic, Hong decided to run for assembly in hopes to spur change. We’ll dive into Hong’s intertwined 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.