Restaurant Ready

Chef Yia Vang didn’t just open a restaurant, he built a cultural restoration project.

The James Beard–nominated chef and founder of Union Hmong Kitchen joins us to share how food became his medium for storytelling, identity, and healing. Born in a Thai refugee camp and raised in Wisconsin, Vang now leads one of the most compelling restaurants in America, not just for its dishes but for its purpose. In this conversation, he opens up about hiring with intention, designing rituals for team connection, and redefining tradition in a modern context.

Takeaways
  • Restaurants can serve as restoration projects, not just businesses
  • Hiring should be about people who reflect your values, not their resume
  • Systems should protect storytelling, not erase it
  • Leadership is about lifting others into their own spotlight
  • Menus can be acts of protest, healing, and cultural expression
  • Authenticity is a lived experience, not a marketing strategy
  • Cultural education is part of service, not separate from it
  • Your kitchen culture reflects what you protect with your systems
  • To honor tradition, you sometimes have to evolve it

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest?

MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

What is Restaurant Ready?

RESTAURANT READY: THE BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Restaurant Ready is your backstage pass to the inner workings of the hospitality industry’s brightest stars. This podcast promises authentic discussions with the most influential chefs, restaurateurs, and food media experts. Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Matt Jennings, along with the MAJC team, helm this weekly podcast.

In each episode, industry veterans sit down for candid conversations revealing the honest stories behind their achievements, exploring the strategies, philosophies, and lessons learned along the way that shaped their path to success. Learn from the guests’ unique formula for creating consistent positive results in their business and personal lives.
Restaurant Ready delivers unparalleled value for restaurant owners, chefs, and managers looking to elevate their careers and businesses.

Listen in for a unique, no-holds-barred exploration of what it takes to thrive in the competitive world of hospitality. With each episode, we will discuss the state of the industry, the challenges we face and how to approach them, and ideas from the experts on how to best prepare yourself for success. You'll walk away with new ideas, and inspiration, as well as a greater sense of community and support as you drive your own success story.