Storytelling Through Food and Wine
Pairing Thai Dishes with Oregon’s Small Producers
I collaborated on another wine dinner with my friend Pao Thampitak of Gaaeng Thai Supper Club. While this was not the first time curating a wine list for Pao’s menu, there was something distinctly special.
Unlike our previous collaborations, this event truly embodied the vision behind my work: pairing global cuisines with thoughtfully selected wines from small producers. For this dinner—Thai cuisine with wines from Willamette Valley producers. I made a deliberate effort to meet each winemaker— learning about their winemaking style and philosophy. They graciously guided me through their portfolio. After tasting the wines, I carefully selected the bottles that would best complement the menu.
I believe in the power of storytelling to connect people to the diverse cultures behind global cuisines and to the winemakers whose hard work deserve 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.
