The Killing of a Chinese Cookie

Did you know that the fortune cookie was actually invented by the Japanese?
It does not even exist in China.

Just went to a screening of The Killing of a Chinese Cookie, earlier this evening. It's a documentary on the history of the fortune cookie. It's a film by my former studio partner and high school friend, Derek Shimoda. He directed, produced and wrote this funny and entertaining look at the mixed up history of the fortune cookie. From its early beginnings in Japan (and its debated origins in San Francisco or Los Angeles) to a permanent staple at the end of a meal in a Chinese restaurant. There are interviews with many people, one of them being Giant Robot publisher Eric Nakamura.

Derek had been working on this for a year and a half, I think. He got to travel to quite a few different places like Japan and San Francisco. The film was released last year, 2008, mostly at film festivals. It is now available on DVD through Amazon.com and for free online at snagfilms.com.

There was also a cook-off before the screening involving fortune cookie inspired desserts. The winning dessert would be featured on the Geisha House menu for a limited time. There were 3 judges: Eric Nakamura, Brian Kito (Fugetsu-Do Confectioners) and a person from Geisha House. Winning dessert was a cheesecake-like dessert and it was very tasty too.