Restaurateur Billy Dec’s Filipino ‘Food Roots:’ New PBS documentary and Detroit restaurant | One Detroit

May 8, 2026

Billy Dec, a Chicago-based entrepreneur and restaurateur, is featured in a new PBS documentary called "Food Roots" that chronicles his travels to the Philippines to discover his family's traditional recipes from his relatives. The film, produced by Detroit native Doug Blush and directed by Michele Josue, explores how learning these culinary traditions deepens Dec's connection to his Filipino heritage and uncovers stories from his family's past. Dec recently expanded his restaurant Sunda New Asian Cuisine to downtown Detroit, situating it between the Fox and Fillmore Theatres after originally launching the concept in Chicago in 2009.

Who is affected

Billy Dec (entrepreneur, restaurateur, and documentary subject)
Dec's Filipino relatives in the Philippines
Detroit diners and the local restaurant scene
Viewers of PBS documentary programming
Doug Blush (executive producer) and Michele Josue (director)

What action is being taken

Billy Dec is operating the newly opened Sunda New Asian Detroit location
The documentary "Food Roots" is airing on PBS
Chris Jordan is conducting interviews with Dec about the film and restaurant

Why it matters

This matters because it highlights the important connection between food, cultural identity, and family history, demonstrating how traditional cuisine serves as a bridge to understanding one's heritage. The documentary and restaurant expansion bring Filipino culinary traditions and culture to broader audiences in both the Detroit community and through national PBS viewership, promoting cultural appreciation and diversity.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com