September 27th, Ann Ahmed, Khâluna
Chef Ann Ahmed’s story begins in the kitchen, helping her mother and grandmother, who escaped worn-torn Laos, cook. Chef Ahmed knew she wanted to own a restaurant ever since she was fourteen years old. In 2005, her dream came true when she opened Lemon Grass Thai
Cuisine in Brooklyn Park, which serves colorful and original dishes influenced by her travels around the world. Ann quickly gained a reputation for her unique Laotian spin on traditional Thai
food. In 2018 Chef Ann Ahmed opened her second restaurant, Lat14 Asian Eatery in Golden Valley. Lat14 is inspired by the cuisines and cultures of countries located on the 14th latitudinal parallel like Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines. In 2021 she opened her third restaurant, Khâluna, the Buddhist word for “compassion,” Khâluna has found a home in Minneapolis and hopes to be the heart of the community and neighborhood. Her fourth and latest restaurant Gai Noi open in May of 2023, the name is short for “khao gai noi,” which is a type of short grain glutinous rice emblematic of the northern Xieng Khouang regions of Laos, where chef Ann and her family are from. Also known as ‘little chick’ due to its spotted appearance and small shape, khao niew (sticky rice) is a staple of the Lao diet and is eaten in tandem with nearly all other dishes. Gai Noi hopes to be a binding agent for the community and
connection to a heritage, culture, and lifestyle worlds apart from our own; a place to gather, share, celebrate, and nourish. It’s Ann’s goal with all her restaurants to transport Minnesotans to southeast Asia through her distinct flavors and dishes.
Recognitions:
2024 Semifinalist for the James Beard Award Best Chef Midwest
2023 Gai Noi, New York Times Best Restaurant List
2023 Semifinalist for the James Beard Award Best Chef Midwest
2022 Khaluna Named one of the BEST 15 New Restaurants in America by Eaters
2019 Lat14 Minneapolis St.Paul Best New Restaurant
Chef Ann Ahmed’s story begins in the kitchen, helping her mother and grandmother, who escaped worn-torn Laos, cook. Chef Ahmed knew she wanted to own a restaurant ever since she was fourteen years old. In 2005, her dream came true when she opened Lemon Grass Thai
Cuisine in Brooklyn Park, which serves colorful and original dishes influenced by her travels around the world. Ann quickly gained a reputation for her unique Laotian spin on traditional Thai
food. In 2018 Chef Ann Ahmed opened her second restaurant, Lat14 Asian Eatery in Golden Valley. Lat14 is inspired by the cuisines and cultures of countries located on the 14th latitudinal parallel like Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines. In 2021 she opened her third restaurant, Khâluna, the Buddhist word for “compassion,” Khâluna has found a home in Minneapolis and hopes to be the heart of the community and neighborhood. Her fourth and latest restaurant Gai Noi open in May of 2023, the name is short for “khao gai noi,” which is a type of short grain glutinous rice emblematic of the northern Xieng Khouang regions of Laos, where chef Ann and her family are from. Also known as ‘little chick’ due to its spotted appearance and small shape, khao niew (sticky rice) is a staple of the Lao diet and is eaten in tandem with nearly all other dishes. Gai Noi hopes to be a binding agent for the community and
connection to a heritage, culture, and lifestyle worlds apart from our own; a place to gather, share, celebrate, and nourish. It’s Ann’s goal with all her restaurants to transport Minnesotans to southeast Asia through her distinct flavors and dishes.
Recognitions:
2024 Semifinalist for the James Beard Award Best Chef Midwest
2023 Gai Noi, New York Times Best Restaurant List
2023 Semifinalist for the James Beard Award Best Chef Midwest
2022 Khaluna Named one of the BEST 15 New Restaurants in America by Eaters
2019 Lat14 Minneapolis St.Paul Best New Restaurant
Chef Ann Ahmed’s story begins in the kitchen, helping her mother and grandmother, who escaped worn-torn Laos, cook. Chef Ahmed knew she wanted to own a restaurant ever since she was fourteen years old. In 2005, her dream came true when she opened Lemon Grass Thai
Cuisine in Brooklyn Park, which serves colorful and original dishes influenced by her travels around the world. Ann quickly gained a reputation for her unique Laotian spin on traditional Thai
food. In 2018 Chef Ann Ahmed opened her second restaurant, Lat14 Asian Eatery in Golden Valley. Lat14 is inspired by the cuisines and cultures of countries located on the 14th latitudinal parallel like Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines. In 2021 she opened her third restaurant, Khâluna, the Buddhist word for “compassion,” Khâluna has found a home in Minneapolis and hopes to be the heart of the community and neighborhood. Her fourth and latest restaurant Gai Noi open in May of 2023, the name is short for “khao gai noi,” which is a type of short grain glutinous rice emblematic of the northern Xieng Khouang regions of Laos, where chef Ann and her family are from. Also known as ‘little chick’ due to its spotted appearance and small shape, khao niew (sticky rice) is a staple of the Lao diet and is eaten in tandem with nearly all other dishes. Gai Noi hopes to be a binding agent for the community and
connection to a heritage, culture, and lifestyle worlds apart from our own; a place to gather, share, celebrate, and nourish. It’s Ann’s goal with all her restaurants to transport Minnesotans to southeast Asia through her distinct flavors and dishes.
Recognitions:
2024 Semifinalist for the James Beard Award Best Chef Midwest
2023 Gai Noi, New York Times Best Restaurant List
2023 Semifinalist for the James Beard Award Best Chef Midwest
2022 Khaluna Named one of the BEST 15 New Restaurants in America by Eaters
2019 Lat14 Minneapolis St.Paul Best New Restaurant