Friday, May 1, 2026

From Refugee Roots to the Lao Kitchen

round white ceramic plate filled with waffle

Join MOFAD for an evening celebrating Lao food, culture, and history as we host Saeng Douangdara, founder of Saeng’s Kitchen and author of The Lao Kitchen. Saeng will be in conversation with Jujubee, a Lao American drag queen, reality television personality, and recording artist. Together, they will explore the personal journey behind the book, the resilience rooted in Lao refugee stories, and how food can be a joyful expression of one’s truest self.

Special Thanks

Museum of Food and Drink

55 Water Street 2nd floor | Brooklyn, NY 11201

Friday, May 1, 2026

7 - 9 PM (doors open at 6)

Tickets include access to Street Food City from 6 to 7 PM, bites, and refreshments.

Courtesy of our partner bookseller Kitchen Arts & Letters, copies of The Lao Kitchen: Lao Flavors and Stories Told Through Family Recipes can be pre-purchased for a discount in a ticket bundle and at full price during the program.

Museum of Food and Drink

55 Water Street 2nd floor | Brooklyn, NY 11201

Friday, May 1, 2026

7 - 9 PM (doors open at 6)

Tickets include access to Street Food City from 6 to 7 PM, bites, and refreshments.

Courtesy of our partner bookseller Kitchen Arts & Letters, copies of The Lao Kitchen: Lao Flavors and Stories Told Through Family Recipes can be pre-purchased for a discount in a ticket bundle and at full price during the program.

Speakers

Saeng Douangdara

is a content creator and personal chef specializing in Lao cuisine and the founder of Saeng’s Kitchen, a platform dedicated to sharing Lao food, culture, and storytelling. As a first-generation Lao American, food has always been central to his life. Saeng’s work has been featured in Delish, BuzzFeed, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, and he is the winner of an episode of TBS's cooking show Rat in the Kitchen. A proud member of the LaoFood Movement, Saeng aims to inspire others to explore the delicious flavors of his culture.

Saeng Douangdara

is a content creator and personal chef specializing in Lao cuisine and the founder of Saeng’s Kitchen, a platform dedicated to sharing Lao food, culture, and storytelling. As a first-generation Lao American, food has always been central to his life. Saeng’s work has been featured in Delish, BuzzFeed, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, and he is the winner of an episode of TBS's cooking show Rat in the Kitchen. A proud member of the LaoFood Movement, Saeng aims to inspire others to explore the delicious flavors of his culture.

Jujubee

(born Airline Inthyrath) is a Laotian American drag entertainer, actress, and recording artist from Boston, Massachusetts. Widely celebrated as a trailblazer for Asian and Southeast Asian representation, she rose to prominence on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2 and went on to compete in multiple All Stars seasons and UK vs. the World. Her television credits include RuPaul’s Drag U, Dragnificent, RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race, AJ and the Queen, and Queen of the Universe.

On stage, Jujubee earned acclaim in London’s West End in Death Drop and its UK tour, and appeared Off Broadway in DRAG! The Musical, earning a 2025 Lucille Lortel Award nomination. She has also starred in Cinderella at North Shore Music Theatre. As a recording artist, her Good Juju EPs topped iTunes Singer Songwriter charts, showcasing her signature blend of humor, heart, and powerful vocals.

Jujubee

(born Airline Inthyrath) is a Laotian American drag entertainer, actress, and recording artist from Boston, Massachusetts. Widely celebrated as a trailblazer for Asian and Southeast Asian representation, she rose to prominence on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2 and went on to compete in multiple All Stars seasons and UK vs. the World. Her television credits include RuPaul’s Drag U, Dragnificent, RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race, AJ and the Queen, and Queen of the Universe.

On stage, Jujubee earned acclaim in London’s West End in Death Drop and its UK tour, and appeared Off Broadway in DRAG! The Musical, earning a 2025 Lucille Lortel Award nomination. She has also starred in Cinderella at North Shore Music Theatre. As a recording artist, her Good Juju EPs topped iTunes Singer Songwriter charts, showcasing her signature blend of humor, heart, and powerful vocals.

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©2025 MOFAD. All rights reserved.

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©2025 MOFAD. All rights reserved.