Haejin Chun
“Everything I do is a reflection of what I care about: positive representation, breaking stigmas, advocating and amplifying marginalized communities, and creating safe spaces for us to gather.”
Haejin Chun is a modern-day healer, chef, and the founder and creative genius behind Big Bad Wolf SF, a series of underground pop-up dinners in San Francisco that inspire women to link up and celebrate life with delicious, cannabis-infused meals. BBW began with the intention of having one dinner — and seven years later, every event has been sold out. Haejin is dedicated to uplifting other women through Big Bad Wolf events, brand partnerships, and cannabis consulting, like for the Discovery+ series Chopped 420, which premiered in April 2021.
“Our women's dinners and gatherings create a safe space to connect and cultivate with other women and leaders in the community,” Haejin says. “It's hard to describe, but the ripple effects from the conversations that happen around my table are sacred.”
The Hall of Femme honoree was nominated by Tess Melody Taylor, who calls her “a fearless leader, talented chef, spiritual phenomenon, and overall badass." As a first-generation Korean-American chef who was raised by immigrants, Haejin’s experience taught her everything she needed to know to thrive in her chosen career. “It gave me grit, cultivated independence, and showed me the power of resilience and hard work — but more importantly, [it gave me] the opportunity to redefine the narrative of a first-generation Asian woman,” she says. “I’m just riding this beautiful, wild wave the best I can.”