A Love Letter to Lao Food
Dearest Lao Food Lovers,
It's been far too long since we last savored the incredible flavors that adorned our Pha Khao, but fear not, for we have some extraordinary news to share with you: we're back in action!
I'm absolutely thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with all of you at the Lao Food Foundation. My first week as Executive Director has officially begun, but my love affair with Lao Food spans countless decades and generations. Before we dig into our mission to expand our Pha Khao with even more delectable dishes, I'd like to take a moment to refresh your memory and help everyone get reacquainted with Lao food.
The Lao Food Foundation (LFF) was founded in 2020 by Channapha Khamvongsa, inspired by the resounding success of our very first Lao Food Retreat in the picturesque setting of Luang Prabang. Here, a dedicated group of passionate individuals gathered to converse, feast, and exchange ideas on the rich tapestry of Lao cuisine. LFF comprises a diverse community of chefs, visionary business owners, enterprising entrepreneurs, diligent researchers, passionate bloggers, and enthusiastic Lao food aficionados. Together, we bring a wealth of stories, wisdom, and knowledge to the table, ready to share with one another and the world.
LFF stands for the promotion, preservation, and innovation of Lao cuisine. We dedicate ourselves to broadening knowledge and understanding through meticulous research and documentation. Our mission is to forge connections between individuals and communities engaged in the production of food from Laos and related products, while fostering connections that transcend borders. In essence, we are here to redefine the perception of Lao cuisine through food diplomacy, igniting growth in businesses and partnerships that span from Laos to the United States and across the global culinary landscape.
As the daughter of refugees from Savanakhet, Laos, I spent my formative years in the state of Virginia. Growing up as a first-generation Lao-American, I grappled with the challenge of balancing my Lao identity and exploring the unique limitations of being Lao-American. My journey to uncover my roots and heritage was largely illuminated by my mother's culinary artistry. From the intriguing fermentation practices that began with unlabeled clay containers in our backyard, to the patient dry-aging of beef and venison sheets in our garage during winter, all in the pursuit of perfecting her heirloom recipe for "seen savanh" jerky or "beef from heaven," I slowly unearthed the true essence of being Lao-American.
In this process, I discovered that the dishes my mother lovingly prepared were in fact iconic delicacies from her own beloved province in Laos—a far-off land that I yearned to visit and to cultivate lasting friendships that continue to inspire my work to this day especially through the vibrant food, land, and cultural tapestry of Laos.
This burning passion fuels my unyielding determination to share our Pha Khao with the world. My deep-seated love for Lao cuisine blossomed from a quest to understand my own heritage and my ancestral homeland. This pride now drives me to make Lao Food accessible to palates across the globe, igniting a fervor to showcase the opulence of Lao culinary traditions to the rest of the world.
It all begins here. Together, we can transform Lao food into a global sensation, a culinary treasure for everyone to savor.
We eagerly invite you to share your favorite stories, any questions you may have, or ideas for future stories that you're burning to bring to our Pha Khao.
We can't wait to continue this delectable journey with you!
With Love & a Side of Sticky Rice,
Aleena Inthaly,
Executive Director