Part 3: The Tribe. "Those who mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind." - Dr.Seuss
Becoming my authentic self and understanding love. Through the era of living "nine lives" I found out that I couldn't accommodate everyone; I didn't have the time or energy as I put my head down and simply worked. The ones that understood the assignment were my anchors. They held my hand, celebrated successes, recognized my opportunities, wiped my tears of failures, and just allowed me to be. This unwavering love and support gave me the confidence to move forward when I didn't know that I had it in me.
I'm still trying to figure out how to make work an accessory; until then, this is where I leave you...
The rest is still unwritten.
Part 2: "If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough," it was the catalyst of many sleepless nights that ultimately transitioned me into the hospitality life.
In a world of "what if" scenarios and self-doubt my natural instinct was to play it safe but then I recalled one of my last conversations with Tony.
As the show wrapped, he said, "you have something special and should pursue a career in food."
I responded, "no one's gonna invest in an inexperienced chef and I don't look good in poor."
We both laughed and he said, "If someone gives the opportunity and funds it you should." (The banker in me knew that was virtually impossible.)
Then I met Phil Romano and the Trinity Groves team and this is what happened next....
Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of hearts, in hindsight, I feel like a cat with nine lives.
I'm beyond grateful for the tribe that mentored, supported, and carried me the last decade when all I wanted to do was take a nap in my car and put up a white flag.
Part 3 coming tomorrow.
Part 1: It's been a minute since I've shared my adventures to becoming an unconventional chef and entrepreneur. They say time flies when you're having fun and it's been over decade; which feels like a lifetime ago that I was a banker.
All the things I planned and envisioned for myself in my twenties are vastly different... In fact. I would say better than my wildest dreams as a child born in a refugee camp. The sacrifices my parents made are not lost on me. EVERY DAY I thank my lucky stars for all the opportunities that have been afforded as a result of hard work and relentless tenacity.
Here's a little video produced by talented folks at @amsstudios and @tvproducerkim years ago. I'm amazed at how they've captured my humble little story. ❤️
#chefuno #refugee #laos #dreambig
Why traveling with me is such a joy... and the probability of this being my reality is 100%.
On our way to Thailand for my mom’s funeral , a 30-hour travel day, emotions high, TSA already a mess… and somehow I still chose violence.
I left work late, still had to shop + prepare my caviar snackies, pack, and make it to the airport.
My sister? Already spiraling by 8PM calling me nonstop.
So naturally… I text her at 9PM:
“Hey… I think I left my passport at home.”
Cue the meltdown. 📱💀
Meanwhile my other sister is in on it, feeding the chaos while I’m calmly pulling up to the airport like nothing happened.
The reveal?
Walking into Applebee’s like a villain…
Double tequila in her hand, caviar bumps in mine.
Because grief is weird… and sometimes you cope with tears of laughter. ❤️
#FromCaviarToChaos #SisterPranks #AirportDrama #FamilyFirst #GriefJourney ChefLife CaviarBump TravelStories RedSti
If you missed it, catch Dining Out in Dallas’ Host Chef @chefuno alongside Jr. Chef Mia 👩🍳 as they shine in their recent cooking segment on @gooddayfox4 !
Then experience it live—join us Wednesday, April 22nd from 6–10 PM at the Frontiers of Flight Museum ✈️ for an unforgettable evening supporting Special Chefs and inspiring families like Mia’s.
✨ Great food. Meaningful impact. A night you don’t want to miss!
#DiningOutInDallas #DallasEvents #SupportLocal #SpecialChefs
/video/fmc-pgk81kyghdb6zpdt
We’re just ONE WEEK away from Dining Out in Dallas! 🎉
Get your tickets now for an unforgettable night filled with incredible food, signature cocktails, and so many ways to give back—all in support of those affected by Neurofibromatosis.
It’s the best night of the year for an even better cause. Don’t miss it!
Also, don’t miss our Host Chef, @chefuno & our Jr. Chef Mia, TOMORROW on @gooddayfox4 in the 9 o’clock 🕘 hour for their special cooking 👩🍳 segment!!!
For Tickets 🎟️:
From caviar to crickets… my palate really said “plot twist.”
On the way to Thailand, my sister and I were living our best bougie lives—caviar, champagne energy, pinkies up.
Fast forward to me in Thailand:
crunching on crickets, sampling silkworms, red ant larvae (yes, larvae), pork blood laab… just out here expanding my horizons and my comfort zone.
Honestly? 10/10 would try again.
Some of it was 🔥… some of it was “character building.”
But in the middle of being there for my mom, I found something really special, a deeper connection to where she came from, one bite at a time.
And because I clearly have no chill…
I brought crickets back on the plane. Enough to sprinkle on my food and pass around to friends in Dallas like party favors 🦗
Luxury is relative. Growth is crunchy.
#FromCaviarToCrickets #EatEverything #ChefUno #ThailandEats #AsianAmerican
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with learning more about traditional northern Thai/Laotian culture.
Writing and sharing has become my way of holding onto the love I felt in those moments—somewhere between life and death, memory and meaning.
This feels like my way of honoring mommy. 🤍
The Thai “Popped Rice” Ritual (Khao Tok แตกข้าว)
Before we brought my mom to the temple, we performed a ritual I’ll never forget…
Rice husks were dropped into a pan over glowing coals, and as the heat rose, each grain burst open.
Sharp, sudden, alive.
Like tiny echoes marking her journey forward.
The one tending the fire held a shovel that reached into the earth with one hand, never letting go. A reminder that even in death, we stay connected… grounded between worlds. The earth beneath us, the spirit beyond us.
In the other hand, a natural branch stirred the rice, life touching life. Nature guiding the transition, softening the fire, carrying intention with every movement.
And the hat… a quiet shield. Protection, respect, and humility in the presence of something greater than us.
Each pop was more than sound.
It was a release.
A clearing of her path.
A signal to the spirit world that she is on her way.
In Thai tradition, even in grief, there is ritual.
And in ritual, there is beauty, meaning… and a way to let go.
#chefuno #poppedriceritual #mommy #thairitual
I went home to say goodbye.
Not in silence…
but in ritual, in rhythm, in community.
For seven days, my mother rested at home
held close, not hidden away.
An air-cooled stillness inside,
while outside, life moved
food was shared, laughter carried,
stories stitched her memory into every corner.
Each night, the monks came.
Their chants... ancient, steady
rose and fell like breath.
Prayers not just for her…
but for all of us learning to let go.
When it was time to take her to the temple,
we led her with a trail of popped rice,
each grain a marker,
a gentle guide for her journey forward.
At the temple, there was music,
there was movement,
there was giving.
We offered gifts to the monks in her name,
sending love ahead of her,
into whatever comes next.
Fire returned her to the elements.
And in the morning, we gathered her again,
softer now, quieter,
bringing her home one last night.
At the Mekong River,
we mixed her with petals and jasmine water,
fragrant, delicate, whole.
And with prayer,
we let her go.
Back to the current.
Back to everything.
I’m sharing this because I find it deeply beautiful,
the way grief here is not hidden,
but held… together.
More to come as I continue to sit with it.
With a heavy heart, I share that my mommy has passed.
She was one of the strongest women I have ever known — a devoted wife, mother, Du Jai, and friend. Anyone who knew her understood her incredible strength, resilience, and determination to build a life for me and my sisters here in America.
She taught us what love truly looks like: hospitality, generosity, and the beautiful way food and time bring people together. So much of who I am today comes from the lessons she lived every single day.
I am so proud to be her daughter.
She is now at peace as she begins her next spiritual chapter in this great journey we call life.
Our family would deeply appreciate your prayers during this time. Thank you to everyone who has shown us love and support.
March has already been full of heart (and a little travel too).
Grateful to have been part of some incredible moments this month:
🥣 Empty Bowls supporting the North Texas Food Bank, a powerful reminder that every bowl helps feed our neighbors.
🐒 Zoo To-Do auction dinner benefiting The Dallas Zoo, great food for a great cause.
❤️ Women in Red supporting the American Heart Association, celebrating strong women and heart health.
Dinner with new friends and then I snuck away to Toronto to visit my bestie on set. Proof that the best part of this journey is always the people you meet.
Feeling grateful for community, connection, and causes that matter.
#CommunityMatters #DallasEvents #ChefLife #NorthTexasFoodBank #WomenInRed DallasZoo GratefulHeart
Saturday Pickup = Sunday WIN!
Wings, but make them strategic
This weekend = a dozen wings for $18
Pick them up Saturday, reheat like a pro Sunday, and focus on what really matters: how you eat them.
My wing strategy:
FLATS ONLY.
Grab the pointy end, push it down, slide that meat right off the bone,
➡️ straight into the dressing.
Clean. Efficient. Elite behavior.
Available for pickup Saturday.
Perfect for the big game.
No mess. No regrets.
Now tell me—
Team Flats or Team Drums?
And what’s your wing-eating technique?
