The Fresno community gathered on February 28th for an unforgettable culinary experience at Lao Cooking with Mr. International, a vibrant workshop presented in partnership with The Fresno Center and Lemongrass Roots. This special event marked Mr. International’s first-ever cooking class, and it was filled with culture, laughter, and incredible food.

Guests had the opportunity to learn how to prepare traditional Lao Beef Stew, Aw Seen Om Seen, guided step-by-step by Mr. International himself. The workshop also featured flavorful sauces, crispy fried chicken skin, and jeow bong from Davanh of Davanh_Spice / Southeast Spice, along with freshly prepared sticky rice from La Kitchen Fresno. Every dish highlighted the depth and richness of Lao cuisine.

In his heartfelt message to attendees, Mr. International shared his gratitude:

“I want to thank all of my fans and supporters and the Fresno community for showing me so much love for my first-ever workshop class. Teaching everyone how to make Lao Beef Stew Aw Seen Om Seen was such a beautiful moment that I will forever cement in my memories. Food brought us all together, and we got to share our roots and how we are so connected in our cultures and food. I’m forever grateful.”

He also expressed appreciation to Lemongrass Roots, The Fresno Center team, the sponsors, his wife, and his sous chef Davanh for helping bring the event to life.

Celebrating the Diversity of Lao Food

Lao cuisine reflects the rich cultural heritage of Laos, an ethnically diverse nation made up of 50 officially recognized ethnic groups and more than 160 subgroups. These communities are generally categorized into three main cultural groups based on geography:

Lao Loum (Lowland): 53–68%

Lao Theung (Mid-Slope): 23%

Lao Sung (Highland): 10%

Lao food is shared across many communities, including Thai Isan, Hmong, Iu Mien, Lahu, Eteen, Tai Dam, Tai Lue, Khmu, Lao Yaw, and many others. Each brings unique flavors and traditions that make Lao cuisine both diverse and deeply connected.

This workshop was more than a cooking class. It was a celebration of identity, heritage, and the power of food to unite people across cultures. The Fresno community once again demonstrated its strength and support by showing up, sharing stories, and building connections around the table.

To stay updated on future events hosted by Lemongrass Roots and The Fresno Center, be sure to follow their social media pages.

We look forward to welcoming Mr. International back soon for another unforgettable experience.