Xinh finds 'Flavors with Friends'

If you have lived in Mason County for more than 20 years, chances are you've had some delicious food cooked by Xinh Dwelley at Xinh's Clam and Oyster House on Railroad Avenue.

The restaurant closed in 2019 due to Xinh battling cancer, which she's still doing and has been for the last seven years.

That hasn't stopped Xinh from contributing to the community through her food, as she just released her second cookbook, "Xinh's Flavors With Friends."

Her first cookbook, "Xinh's Pacific Coastal Flavors," was popular with Shelton and the Mason County community, who continue to support her.

"The second one, when we were talking about it, Rachel and I, I had to go back to chemo(therapy) again. She asked 'How about we do a second cookbook?" Xinh said. "We do some meals and some recipes that you do best. I put my head together and we test it where I write down everything and I always come up with the recipes and I'm pretty good at it. This is really crazy because I go to sleep thinking about the recipe and wake up thinking about what fillings and all this stuff, something crazy inside my head is always thinking about what makes food taste better."

Xinh said she doesn't have any favorite recipes in her new book, because she likes to cook whatever she feels like eating at the time. She said she loves food and she loves to create the recipes.

The book wasn't able to be finished in time for Christmas to be mailed out. Xinh's friend, Rachel Hansen, traveled to Olympia and picked up the 3,000 cookbooks before Xinh's book signing on Dec. 21 at the Economic Development Council building in downtown Shelton.

"I feel really proud and happy because you know what? People are so happy and they support me and buy all my cookbooks and they're happy to cook," Xinh said. "I don't want the cookbook to go home so people can just chuck them in a corner. I want to do something good. That's what I'm doing and I'm grateful."

Xinh said it's a lot of work to put together a cookbook but she appreciates the help and support she receives from the Hansen family and two of her friends.

She was excited when so many people came out to buy and support her at her book signing.

"It's from my heart. I'm sorry, I get emotional, but I feel like the day I was signing cookbooks, I was so worried. I said, oh my gosh, if people don't show up, I will be so sad and embarrassed," Xinh said. "I'm trying to do something here but I don't know how many people are going to come out. About 6 o'clock, things slowed down, but a couple people came in to buy another $100 of cookbooks. It kept me busy all day and I was so happy because I'm proud that people care and also the whole community in Shelton, they support me. I tell myself, I feel like Julia Childs in Shelton. It's a tiny town and I do well and I'm happy and I'm grateful for all of that."

Xinh said she loves giving back to the community she's called home for many years. She wants to give as much as she can while she's still here.

"The doctors, about six months ago now, my surgeon told me this Christmas, I can spend time with my family," Xinh said. "Next Christmas, she doesn't know if the chemotherapy is not working. I've slowed down with the chemotherapy for a couple months because the chemo almost killed me. But right now, I feel pretty good. I have a little bit more strength back."

Next year, doctors are hoping to find a treatment that is not as hard on her body. Xinh hopes to feel better next year and do more things to give back to the community. A portion of the money from her book sales will be donated to cancer research because she wants to help some people who might be struggling with the cost of cancer treatments.

Xinh was happy to see everyone at the book signing that she got to see regularly and get to know at her restaurant.

"I know them and I miss them and a lot of them are really good friends," Xinh said. "That's why, to me, it makes my heart happy and I was so happy to see some of them I haven't seen for a long time. That's really satisfying more than to just sell the cookbook."

There's one thing that all of Xinh's friends and family know: Xinh loves the people in her life and she loves the city of Shelton.

"I want to pay it back to the community and the people while I can," Xinh said. "Things turned out really good for me and I'm really proud of what I can accomplish because you know, over the years, I worked all the time but between work and stuff, I still do fundraisers and things on the weekend. I think now that I'm retired, I just want to be healthy enough so I can do more. Unfortunately, you can't predict your destiny... I live halfway between Olympia and Shelton but all my heart and my business is in Shelton. I love Mason County and try to support whatever happens. If I can help, I will help."

Author Bio

Matt Baide, Reporter

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
Email: [email protected]

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