I recently had the honor of hosting a wine and dinner experience in Boston in collaboration with my friend and chef, Pao Thampitak of Gaaeng Thai Supper Club. This wasn’t the first time I had worked with Pao, yet this particular dinner felt distinctly special.

Unlike our previous collaborations, this event truly embodied the vision behind my work: pairing global cuisine with thoughtfully selected wines from small producers. For this dinner—Thai cuisine with wines from producers from the Willamette Valley. I made a deliberate effort to meet each winemaker, learning about their winemaking style and philosophy. They graciously guided me through tastings—sometimes their entire portfolio—before I carefully selected the bottles that would best complement the menu.

I believe in the power of storytelling to build bridges—bridges that connect people to the diverse cultures behind global cuisines and to the winemakers whose hard work deserves recognition. During this dinner, food and wine became our vehicle for storytelling, creating a space where guests could connect over a shared appreciation for dishes and wines made with care.

This was a very proud moment for me.

This was the line up: Willamette Valley Producers