Expert: Louis M. Wu - 3/10/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Chef Wu? My name is Justin. When I visited a market last year, I liked a beautiful wood structure, fruit on it placed near front door with unlit incense on this. This may read like a crazy question but: I'm trying to decide If to prepare food on a similar structure for my ancestors to help attract better fortune. If I did this do you know how often should I change food? Are there particular foods that are not good to prepare? Or maybe suggest Something I should not do or never do? Thankyou

ANSWER: HELLO Jason!
chef Wu here, men you have lots questions but let me first ask you this question are you an Asian decent like myself? also do you believe in Buddah? write me back and I will be glad to answer your questions!

Chef Wu

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Chef Wu? Thank you, I'm Happy your quick response! I Apologize if I had too many question. Sir, I don't think I'm Asian decent. I'm not religious but liked ideas Buddism. Liked Study history of how people prepared food for ancestor's, family members. I want to find a way how to maybe honor those who came before me. I'd love your suggest of what not do. Thank you for your speed and kindness.

Answer
Justin!
now I have more understanding of where you come from. you see
I don't know you are American's assuming you are and American's
I don't believe you guy prepare food for your Ancestors like we do
but I can give you how we( Asain) peoples do it. on April 4th of
every years we will go to our Ancestors Grave yard clean up
and give them food. normally consist of rice few meats like
chicken pork fish then few veggies in a small rice bowl. we light up 3 incent and wait till it all burn out then we get the food then
pack up and leave!
since your ancestors are not Asain like us I don't think they will
appreciate that. hope I didn't offended you in anyway by saying that.
hope these tips help you understand how we pray to our Ancestors!
thank you again for your questions have a great weekend!
Chef Wu