Press & Media Coverage

The James Beard Foundation Award for Excellence logo featuring a black and white portrait of James Beard within a circular border.

2025 James Beard Award Semifinalist

Outstanding Chef (Khâluna)

A magazine cover with the title 'Artful Living' and a background pattern of green artichokes.

Artful Living- Chef Ann Ahmed’s Culinary Journey to Self-Discovery”

Text that reads "Mpls St Paul" in bold black letters on a white background.

Mpls St Paul Magazine-“Dara’s Restaurant of the Year”

A circular logo with a portrait of a man in the center, surrounded by the text 'ALAN BEARD FOUNDATION AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE'.

2024 James Beard Award Finalist

Best Chef: Midwest

The New York Times logo with a stylized black 'T' above the text 'The New York Times' in black gothic font.

The New York Times – "The Restaurant List 2023"

Gai Noi named one of the 50 best restaurants in America

Pattern of various food and drink items including fast food and beverages, overlayed with a large white letter 'F' in the center.

Eater National – “The Best New Restaurants in America, 2022”

Khaluna

Circular logo with a gradient background transitioning from pink to yellow, displaying a large white letter 'M' and the word 'Monthly' below it.

Minnesota Monthly- “The Best New Restaurants, 2022”

Khaluna

Star Tribune logo with green star above the text

StarTribune- Maverick of the Year by the Star Tribune

Redefine suburban dining and boldly showcasing Laotian and Southeast Asian cuisine through Lat14.

Black background with white bold letters spelling "TCB" in the center.

TCB 100: People to Watch

Selected as one of TCB 100: People to Watch by Twin Cities Business for leadership and cultural impact in Minnesota’s business community.

Television Appearances

Podcasts


Speaking Engagements & Public Appearances

  • Panelist: “Who Owns Asian Food?” – Moderated by Andrea Nguyen

  • Panelist: LAB Talks: Creativity in the Kitchen – With Jamie Malone and Zoë François

  • Keynote Speaker: General Mills, Heraeus Medivio

  • Guest Speaker: Evereve HQ, Minneapolis Community & Technical College

  • Guest Chef & Speaker: Feed Our Soul at the Minnesota Humanities Center

  • Featured Guest Chef: Minnesota Timberwolves – Asian Heritage Month and NBA Playoffs at Target Center

  • First Place Winner: Taste of the Vikings – Recognized for culinary excellence at the team’s annual charitable food event

  • Chef Mentor: Roots for the Home Team – Mentored high school students in culinary innovation

  • Chef Mentor: Junior Iron Chef Competition 2025 – Led a junior high team to first place in a citywide cooking challenge hosted by MPS Culinary & Wellness Services