BLOOM (TAMPA) – Famous restaurateur and cultural storyteller Billy Dec recently appeared on the globally syndicated health and wellness show Bloom with host Gayle Guyardo, to share how his deep family roots continue to shape his acclaimed culinary brand, Sunda New Asian. With locations in Chicago’s Riverside and Fulton Market districts, as well as Nashville—and a new Detroit location opening in summer 2025—Sunda has become a national destination for elevated Southeast Asian cuisine.
Drawing inspiration from his mother’s native Philippines and other regions throughout Asia, Dec has built a restaurant experience that’s as emotionally rich as it is visually and gastronomically impressive. Sunda showcases modern interpretations of classic dishes from Japan, China, the Philippines, and beyond—melding traditional recipes with contemporary ingredients, innovative techniques, and sophisticated presentation.
Yet, at the heart of Dec’s culinary empire is a story far more personal.
A Culinary Homecoming: Food Roots
In his moving independent documentary Food Roots, Dec takes viewers on a deeply personal pilgrimage to the Philippines following the loss of a close family member. Determined to reconnect with his cultural heritage and preserve fading culinary traditions, he journeys across the country’s 7,641 islands by motorcycle, boat, plane, and foot.
The film captures not only the vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine but also the family stories, ancestral recipes, and cultural nuances that have shaped Dec’s identity. Along the way, he uncovers long-lost relatives, forgotten dishes, and emotional truths that forever change his perspective on food, family, and belonging.
Honoring the Past, Elevating the Future
Back in the kitchen, Dec continues to honor the essence of the dishes he uncovered—while enhancing them with refined ingredients and techniques. The result? A hospitality experience that feels both rooted and forward-thinking.
Every bite at Sunda is a tribute to where these dishes came from and a bold step toward where they’re going.
As Dec shared on Bloom, “This journey isn’t just about food—it’s about preserving legacy, embracing evolution, and sharing stories that nourish far beyond the plate.”
