Food for Thought - Entrepreneurship in the Food & Beverage Industry

Join us for an exclusive dinner exploring the business of food and hospitality with David Wasielewski, Managing Partner at Din Tai Fung. David will share how he led the U.S. expansion of one of Asia’s most iconic restaurant brands—offering insights on deal-making, brand translation, and operational excellence. A candid conversation over dinner with actionable lessons for anyone scaling a consumer-facing business.

World-renowned for its meticulously crafted xiao long bao (soup dumplings) and unwavering commitment to excellence, Din Tai Fung has become a global icon of modern Taiwanese cuisine. What began as a humble shop in Taipei has evolved into an international dining destination celebrated for its precision, consistency, and hospitality. Every dish is a masterclass in balance—delicate, flavorful, and unforgettable. Dining at Din Tai Fung isn’t just a meal—it’s a culinary experience.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, October 7

Time: 6pm to 8pm

Location: Bellevue Din Tai Fung - 10455 NE 8th Street.   Bellevue WA 98004

Cost: $55 for dinner*

*dinner is a chef's tasting menu and non-alcoholic as well as select alcoholic beverages

Due to capacity constraints, this event is open only to graduates of Harvard Business School and tickets are not yet on sale

Event Contacts:

‬Kyle Buffenmyer - kylebuffenmyer@gmail.com - ‪+1.717.201.0064

David Yang Wasielewski is a founder, entrepreneur, and executive with over two decades of leadership experience spanning global brand development, operations, and strategic growth. As the founding partner of Din Tai Fung—a globally renowned Taiwanese restaurant brand—in the Pacific Northwest, he launched and scaled the brand’s regional presence from the ground up, growing it to seven locations across Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, and leading a team of more than 1,800 employees. David’s work has earned recognition from Puget Sound Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year (Pacific Northwest).

He currently serves on the board of Uwajimaya, a leading regional Asian grocery retailer with stores in Seattle and Portland. He previously served on the board of Food Lifeline, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity in Western Washington.

Before launching Din Tai Fung, David spent a decade at Intel in global marketing roles and five years in the financial services industry as a financial advisor with CIBC World Markets and UBS PaineWebber.

David holds a BA from the University of Washington, an MBA from Seattle University, and has completed an Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. He is currently enrolled in the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Oxford, focused on governance, strategy, and leadership.

Born in Taipei and raised in Seattle, David is bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese. He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and maintains strong ties to the Seattle business community.