Yia Vang on Building a Restaurant That Tells His Story

Chef Yia Vang didn’t just open a restaurant, he built a cultural restoration project.The James Beard–nominated chef and founder of Union Hmong Kitchen joins us to share how food became his medium for storytelling, identity, and healing. Born in a Thai refugee camp and raised in Wisconsin, Vang now leads one of the most compelling restaurants in America, not just for its dishes but for its purpose. In this conversation, he opens up about hiring with intention, designing rituals for team connection, and redefining tradition in a modern context.TakeawaysRestaurants can serve as restoration projects, not just businessesHiring should be about people who reflect your values, not their resumeSystems should protect storytelling, not erase itLeadership is about lifting others into their own spotlightMenus can be acts of protest, healing, and cultural expressionAuthenticity is a lived experience, not a marketing strategyCultural education is part of service, not separate from itYour kitchen culture reflects what you protect with your systemsTo honor tradition, you sometimes have to evolve itWant to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest?MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.