Local Cultural Steward: Chef Yia Vang
Friday, October 21, 2022 at 10:36AMArticle by Becky Fillinger, photo provided
We have a bounty of celebrity chefs in our area. One of the busiest and more awarded is Chef Yia Vang. He is innovative, energetic, determined, approachable and has telegenic charm. You won’t believe all the projects he has in the works – keep reading!
Q: What a year for you - 2022 James Beard Foundation Best Chef - Midwest semifinalist; 2022 James Beard Foundation Best New Restaurant for Union Hmong Kitchen semifinalist; Two new TV shows – Stoked and Feral; New restaurant opening – Vinai; permanent restaurant stand at the Minnesota State Fair; Host of TPT’s Relish - Have I missed anything? Five years ago, could you have imagined a year such as 2022 for you?
A: One of the new projects that we've been working on is our podcast "Hmonglish" - the interconnection between Hmong culture and American Culture. Many of us Hmong kids who grew up in America or were born here have been asking questions like “How can I be Hmong and American at the same time?” We get to dig into that question in this podcast.
In each episode of Relish, Chef Yia Vang takes viewers inside the home kitchens of local chefs as they serve up an ingredient or dish that has personal and cultural meaning to them.With that being said, I feel totally blessed to be in the position that I am in today. I always think about it this way...I'm a simple Hmong kid who grew up in central Wisconsin, loves watching the Packers play on Sundays and grilling with my dudes. I never would have seen all of this. Truly I've been blessed to be given a platform that I get to dig into my own cultural heritage and speak about it through the foods that we make. I get to talk about how a mother and father who courageously struggled and fought for each one of their kids. I get to tell their story because the truth is my story is boring...I only have a voice because they gave me the voice. I only have a story because at the end of the day it's their story and I'm merely an editor...I get to move a few commas around and switch a few letters here and there but it's about them. So, 2022 is their year and I get to show our community, our people and the world their story of grace, courage, and grit!
Q: What a beautiful statement of gratitude. Let me shift to your new restaurant - Is there an opening date set for Vinai? Please give us up to date info on the restaurant and what we can expect once we step into your new Northeast Minneapolis establishment.
A: There's no open date yet...right now we're going through a few financial institutions for help to finish some of our funding. The hardest part of this process is when things move fast, they move very fast but when they slow down it becomes a crawl. We're hopeful to be able to give a clear answer in 2023.
Q: Please tell us the premise of Stoked and Feral. How may we watch?
A: Stoked is basically Hmong Cooking 101 over wood fire. It's a show on the Food Network that talks about the philosophy of Hmong food. We break down all the dishes to help tell the story of our people. In Stoked I draw from the memories of my father teaching me how to cook over an open fire at home. For the Hmong people cooking over wood fire is as simple as turning on a knob for your oven at home. Our people have been cooking over the fire for many generations and we wanted to be able to dig into that part of our food culture. As for Feral I can't say too much about it, but the word will be out very soon and I'm so excited to share more about the show with everyone.
Q: How are you as one person able to manage all these projects?
A: The only way I'm able to manage all these projects is because I have an incredible team back at home that's managing the restaurants, catering group, and event projects. I've learned that if you surround yourself with people who believe in the vision, mission, values and goals of what you do, then it sets up everyone for success.
Q: You must be pleased with the surge of interest in Hmong cuisine – especially since you’re leading the movement. What are the reactions you hear from the Twin Cities’ Hmong community?
A: Overall, I don't see myself as someone who's "leading a movement"... I believe that was going to happen no matter what. It was only a matter of time before our people had a chance to show the world what we're capable of. If you look at the history of our people, every few decades there's a movement of our people being challenged to progress forward and in those movements there's a few people that rise as "stewards" of these movements. I use the word "stewards" because I truly believe that a "steward" is someone who looks over and handles the challenges of a movement and makes sure that they leave it better than it was given to them so that the next "stewards" will be able to progress that movement forward for the betterment of the community or people.
As for the reaction of the Hmong people in what we're doing...it's mostly great reactions and comments. Many encouraging messages from them. But with every movement there will always be haters and "keyboard warriors" giving their opinions and comments.
Q: Please tell us how to follow all your exciting news.
A: You can follow us on social media on Facebook or Instagram @unionhmongkitchen and @vinaimn or on my personal ones @yiavang70 or our podcast at @hmonglishpod.
