About this Event
In Lao kitchens, every dish tells a story and every bite excites. The food culture of Laos has historically been preserved through oral tradition, and in this essential guide to Lao cooking, personal chef Saeng Douangdara draws on his expertise and the food knowledge passed down from his family to share the beauty and history of Lao cuisine.
And Douangdara is heading to Tombolo Books to share more about the exciting recipies and history in his debut cookbook, The Lao Kitchen: Lao Flavors and Stories Told Through Family Recipies! Phillip Cheng will join him in conversation!
The Lao Kitchen dives into the heart of Lao foodways—often overlooked but deeply rooted in Southeast Asian traditions. Through thoughtful essays and memories connected to each recipe, Saeng tells his story as a member of the Lao diaspora, exploring his roots through food. Bold, flavorful, deeply personal, and featuring gorgeous photography from Laos and Saeng’s own kitchen, The Lao Kitchen is a celebration of community, the connection that food brings, and what it means to cook from the heart.
Saeng Douangdara is a content creator and personal chef specializing in Lao cuisine. As a first-generation Lao American, food has always been central to his life. Saeng’s work has been featured in Delish, BuzzFeed, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, and he is the winner of an episode of TBS's cooking show Rat in the Kitchen. A proud member of the Lao Food Movement, Saeng aims to inspire others to explore the delicious flavors of his culture.
Phillip Cheng is a PhD student in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Florida, specializing in the history of education, where he also earned his undergraduate degrees. Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, and the son of Sino-Cambodian refugees, his personal and community experiences shaped his interest in Asian American history and led him to pursue a master’s degree in Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University. His research focuses on uncovering, preserving, and sharing local and transnational histories of Asian and Asian American individuals and communities, with particular interests in education and schooling, migration and community formation, and genealogical research.
Event venue & nearby stays
Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Avenue South, St. Petersburg, United States
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