Tag Archives: Jitlada

Show 619, March 8, 2025: Casa Vega, Sherman Oaks with Restaurateur Christy Vega

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Christy Vega of Casa Vega

“Regarding Her is celebrating Women’s History Month this March with its 5th annual festival designed to support women-owned and led food and beverage businesses in Los Angeles. The festival is a vibrant celebration honoring the remarkable achievements of women shaping the food and beverage industry.”

“Held every March, this month-long festival spotlights the talent, innovation, and stories of women-led businesses through curated dining experiences, exclusive pop-ups, chef collaborations, mini marts, and special events across greater Los Angeles. Members blend culinary excellence and can’t-miss creative collaborations showcasing the diverse culinary styles of Regarding Her members and celebrating the tremendous talent and deep connection fostered over the last five years within the Regarding Her community.”

“Just one of multiple events of note is Tamales con Corazon at Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks on March 23rd at 10:30 a.m. Join James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classic Award winners Christy Vega of Casa Vega, Dora Herrera of Yuca’s, and Paulina Lopez of Guelaguetza for a vibrant celebration of culture, food, and the heart of Mexico. Discover the art of making tamales from the North, South and Oaxacan regions of Mexico.”

Christy’s 2nd Regarding Her event at Casa Vega is “Fueling Our Frontliners” on Saturday, March 29th starting at 5:00 p.m. The walkaround tasting honors women First Responders and women across all industries. The multi-ethnic chefs participating (Cultural Cuisine Queens) with Tasting Stations include Casa Vega, Yuca’s and Jitlada Thai.

Christy Vega takes a break wrapping the masa to join us.

Show 439, August 21, 2021: Sugar Sungkamee, Chef / Owner, Spicy Sugar, Alamitos Beach, Long Beach Part One

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Sugar Sungkamee of Spicy Sugar

“Spicy Sugar, a neighborhood favorite Thai dining destination located in the Alamitos Beach area of Long Beach, is open Tuesday through Sunday for in-person dining with lunch offered from 11a.m. to 3p.m. and dinner served 4 to 11p.m. Guests can also order take-out and delivery.”

“Located in an unassuming storefront on Broadway Avenue, Chef-owner Sugar Sungkamee and her staff offer an array of authentic Thai dishes made with fresh ingredients from family recipes that her father, the legendary Chef Suthiporn “Tui” Sungkamee (Jitlada,) brought with him when he immigrated to the United States.”

“Like many chefs, my culinary education is not a formal one,” said Sugar. “The skills and techniques I learned in the kitchen are what my dad patiently taught me. From helping me learn to read recipes and measure ingredients to showing me what to look for when selecting fresh seafood and produce – I owe my love and knowledge of food and cooking to him.”

“Among Spicy Sugar’s signature dishes are Tom Kha Soup, galangal coconut soup punctuated with mushrooms and tomatoes; Pineapple Fried Rice prepared with chunks of pineapple, cashews and raisins; and Yellow Curry, featuring roasted curry with coconut cream. Most dishes from the menu can be made vegetarian or vegan. Spicy Sugar also recently started serving Thai Singha Beer and sake.”

Chef / Owner Sugar Sungkamee joins us with a bowl of Pineapple Fried Rice at the ready.

Show 439, August 21, 2021: Sugar Sungkamee, Chef / Owner, Spicy Sugar, Alamitos Beach, Long Beach Part Two

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Sugar Sungkamee of Spicy Sugar

“Spicy Sugar, a neighborhood favorite Thai dining destination located in the Alamitos Beach area of Long Beach, is open Tuesday through Sunday for in-person dining with lunch offered from 11a.m. to 3p.m. and dinner served 4 to 11p.m. Guests can also order take-out and delivery.”

“Located in an unassuming storefront on Broadway Avenue, Chef-owner Sugar Sungkamee and her staff offer an array of authentic Thai dishes made with fresh ingredients from family recipes that her father, the legendary Chef Suthiporn “Tui” Sungkamee (Jitlada,) brought with him when he immigrated to the United States.”

“Like many chefs, my culinary education is not a formal one,” said Sugar. “The skills and techniques I learned in the kitchen are what my dad patiently taught me. From helping me learn to read recipes and measure ingredients to showing me what to look for when selecting fresh seafood and produce – I owe my love and knowledge of food and cooking to him.”

“Among Spicy Sugar’s signature dishes are Tom Kha Soup, galangal coconut soup punctuated with mushrooms and tomatoes; Pineapple Fried Rice prepared with chunks of pineapple, cashews and raisins; and Yellow Curry, featuring roasted curry with coconut cream. Most dishes from the menu can be made vegetarian or vegan. Spicy Sugar also recently started serving Thai Singha Beer and sake.”

Chef / Owner Sugar Sungkamee continues with us.he ready.

Show 283, July 28, 2018: 5th Annual Stu and The Kids Benefit at Vibiana, DTLA

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Stuart SkverskyThe 5th annual Stu and the Kids Fundraiser, an exceptional Thai-flavored Food & Wine Festival hosted by Chef Stuart Skversky (ex-Spago) with the help of his high-profile chef friends, returns to Vibiana in DTLA on Sunday, August 5, 2018. Proceeds will fund scholarships for Hill Tribe kids in Chaing Mai, Thailand. This is the 4th year we’ve proudly supported this significant Benefit.

In 2009, Stuart Skversky, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a rising-star chef, made a dramatic life change by giving up a promising chef career in Los Angeles to move to Chiang Mai, becoming a full-time volunteer at the Wat Dan Chan (a local Buddhist temple), teaching local children English, cooking and baking. Recognizing a need to help prepare these high-risk Hill Tribe kids following their graduation, he founded Stu and the Kids to better prepare them for adulthood, helping them get into a university or technical college and giving them the tools for an independent future.

Proceeds from this event go directly to the children’s education, school uniforms, supplies, housing, food and tuition for higher education. Now in their ninth year of fundraising throughout the world, Stu and The Kids has raised over $500,000 for the charity, including last year’s astounding record of $158,000 accumulated from the Los Angeles festival, fundraising on the east coast and online donations during 2017.

Stu and The Kids supervises 29 kids, including eleven that received scholarships in 2018 to support education and jobs in accounting, business management, in-home elder care, cooking and fashion and textiles. The charity hopes to increase the awards to twelve, four-year university scholarships in the coming year.

The Thai restaurant community in Los Angeles is embracing this Benefit. Sarintip “Jazz” Singsanong of Jitlada fame will be in attendance and cooking.

Tickets for advance general admission, VIP admission and kids may be purchased online. General Admission in advance is $125.

Executive Director & Founder, Stuart Skversky provides the preview.