Executive Chef Vanda Asapahu of Ayara Thai, Westchester Part 1

“Regarding Her is celebrating Women’s History Month this March with its 5th annual festival designed to support women-owned and led food and beverage businesses in Los Angeles. The festival is a vibrant celebration honoring the remarkable achievements of women shaping the food and beverage industry.” “Ayara Thai in the Westchester area of Los Angeles is hosting a one-day brunch event (NumHERology, Mixology and Thai Gastronomy) on Sunday, March 30th at 11:30 a.m. celebrating women, food, and hope in support of Regarding Her Food! Sisters Chef Vanda and Chef Cathy Asapahu will curate an auspicious menu while guests will enjoy cocktails, mocktails, Thai, and wisdom from a professional numerologist. They’ll leave with full bellies and full hearts, understanding what their personal numerology means for the year ahead.”“Growing up in a Thai-Chinese community in the Samsen District along the banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, chef and restaurateur Andy Asapahu received his cooking and business prowess by helping his mother cook. Because of the home’s location between the palace and the river, both royal cuisine and the bustling spice trade helped shape the home-cooked flavors so savored.”“Anna, wife of Andy and self-taught chef, hails from the city of Lampang in the heart of northern Thailand and grew up in a family that primarily cooked with home- and locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Since Ayara Thai’s opening day, Anna remains a leader in the kitchen and continues her family tradition of sustainable dining, ensuring dishes inspired and prepared with only the freshest ingredients each season has to offer.”“Today, the family traditions of Andy and Anna are continued and developed into the third generation, through their children. Vanda, Head Chef and Managing Owner, lived and worked in Thailand for 4 years, allowing her to revive old family recipes while discovering new tastes and inspirations. After cooking with relatives and eating her way through the streets and countryside, it is these old recipes and new flavors Vanda has brought back to share at Ayara Thai.” “Heading up pastry is Vanda’s sister, Cathy, who is known for infusing traditional French pastry with the flavors of Thailand and traditional Thai pastry with French technique. Vanda and Cathy’s mission is to provide the traditional Thai flavors Ayara’s guests enjoy while infusing SoCal twists honoring the duality of their heritage and upbringing.”Chef Vanda Asapahu is our guest.