We recently connected with Souli Phaduangdet and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Souli, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I first found my passion through the love of cooking at a very young age. My late mother taught me how to appreciate every taste every way we can make with what we have as a tool. We did not have much but to be able to appreciate to be in the kitchen with her was the most important to me. She instilled so much to my little self at that time. As i gotten older it made me realized that it wasnt just the cooking its about what you create that will make your friends your family, remember you because we did it with our heart and soul. To be able to make people weather happy or sad to be able to pick them up through anything it’s so self gratifying. I didn’t realized that till I figured it out going through my own ups and down. I would cook her favorite dishes when I’m sad or just to remember her. So yes food is to the soul and comfort for some people. I’m glad I found my passion.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My career started as a love between my late mother and I as we had a common bond through food. As a child my mother and I we would both be in the kitchen weather it would be a good day or a sad day. She had always taught me to love food and to look forward to having our meals together as a family. Those were the moments that I had alaways looked forward to. My menu now is an homage to my late mother each and every dish has a story behind it. To say food means so much to me is an understatement as it brings so much joy and memories to me. My jouney as a chef I started as a food truck for 10 years saved some money and now I am able to live my American dream to open my first brick and mortar. As a immigrant from Laos and Thailand, my specialty is Lao and Thai cusine each dish is handmade authentically through the teachings of my mother. Also my main focus is to introduce more of Lao cuisine to those who are unfamiliar with Laos a land locked small country in South East Asia that borders Thailand Cambodia and Vietnam. So I hope one day you all can come and give us a try and to support small local businesses like mine.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is too captivate my audiences of bringing out their best memories that they had growing up with home cooked meals and being surrounded by love and family.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I have always believed to have passion in anything that you do in life you will get far. As a restaurateur we get encouraged sometimes with so many issues coming at us daily. However with love and passion it’s hard to give up. My advice to anyone is to mostly stay passionate, be kind and stay humble.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sao_lao_thai_cafe?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063442106760&mibextid=ZbWKwL