Spice, Soul & Story: Inside the Life of James Beard-Nominated Chef Ann Ahmed

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This week on Rise to More, I had the honor of sitting down with a guest whose story moved me to my core.

Anne Ahmed is not just a chef. She is a memory-keeper, a storyteller, and a bridge between worlds. A former refugee from Laos who arrived in the United States as a child, Anne's life and work now anchor some of the most celebrated dining experiences in Minneapolis. Her restaurants—Kaluna, Gai Noi, and Laat 14—are more than destinations. They are sanctuaries of flavor, memory, and culture.

What unfolded in our conversation was not just a culinary tale, but a deep and layered exploration of:

* The invisible strength of refugee women: Anne shared how she was raised by three widowed women in a refugee camp, arriving in Minnesota with nothing but their will to survive. As a refugee myself, I felt an ache of recognition in her words.

* Finding belonging between worlds: Not Lao enough for Laos, not American enough for America—Anne spoke so vulnerably to the in-between space that so many of us immigrants inhabit.

* Why food became a language of care: Watching her grandmother reinvent recipes with unfamiliar ingredients, Anne learned that nurturing others begins at the table. That simple act of care, of creating comfort, resonated deeply with me.

* Rising above resistance: From recession to pandemic, from critics to self-doubt, Anne walked us through her journey of perseverance, reminding me of the strength we all carry beneath the surface.

* Reimagining authenticity: In her words, "It may not taste like your grandma's cooking. But your grandma isn't here. What you're tasting is the memory we create today."

* Honoring lineage while raising the next generation: As a mother in a bicultural family, Anne reflected on the quiet choices that keep heritage alive. It was a conversation that mirrored my own hopes for my children.

* The power of taking up space: For women, for immigrants, for dreamers—Anne's advice was both grounding and galvanizing.

We connected not just over our shared refugee backgrounds, but over our profound belief in the resilience of women, the healing power of beauty, and the audacity to rise beyond what the world expects.

Anne reminded me—and all of us—that "when you want something so badly, it will find a way." Her journey from the margins of survival to the heights of culinary acclaim is a living embodiment of that truth.

If you listen to one conversation this week, let it be this.

For those who have ever felt othered, unseen, or unsure of their path—this episode is a gentle hand on the back, a permission slip to take up space, and a reminder that your roots are not something to shed or overcome. They are the very foundation that makes you steady, grounded, and whole.

Ann Ahmed’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/chefannahmed/

Her restaurants:

https://khaluna.com

https://www.gainoimpls.com

https://www.lat14.com

Link to Ann’s trip to Laos in January 2026

Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jasnaburza.substack.com