Chef Fah

Chef Fah with the kitchen staff

Her Story
Srifah’s calling for the culinary arts came to her, naturally, behind the stove. Patiently waiting for dinner, her Uncle, Teddy Vora, shouted, “Fah! I’m ready to open a restaurant! I want you to be the head chef!” Turning towards him with big incredulous eyes, Fah bashfully asked, “Are you serious uncle?” The path for all Thai students in America is the silent “3 step” program: Step 1: Their parents send them to the US to live with close relatives. Step 2: Study hard to earn their degree in engineering or an MBA. Step 3: Most likely they return home a “success” unless they can land a good job in the States to send money home, even more “successful.”

Not only apprehensive about changing her educational agenda, Fah also worried about approaching her father with the idea of becoming a chef. She told Uncle Teddy, “But my father would kill me if I didn’t get my MBA!” Her uncle simply replied, “You worry about getting into culinary school. You let me deal with your dad. I’ll handle my younger brother.”

Rather than follow the trend with the other Thai students, her uncle encouraged her to follow her heart. She attended the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY to study cooking and follow her dreams of becoming a chef. Finally able to apply her skills and creativity to her passion for food, Fah has put together the menu at Lemongrass Café using influences from her Thai upbringing and her professional training from the CIA in an “east meets west” style to redefine the meaning of Asian Fusion.

Previous Experience

• Four Seasons of Houston - worked as a cook under Chef Tim Keating
• Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY - Chef's Assistant
• Brennan's of Houston - rotated through all stations and front house
• Rustic Oak, Houston, TX - prep cook
• The Dynasty, Temple, TX - prep cook

Back to Main Page