Guacaya Bistreaux Guest Chef Series – North Loop, Minneapolis

Guacaya Bistreaux Guest Chef Series – North Loop, Minneapolis

 Guest Chef Dinner Series

The second installment of Guacaya Bistreaux’s chef dinner series. Chef Yia Vang of Union Hmong Kitchen joins Chef Pedro Wolcott of North Loop’s Latin-Caribbean tapas restaurant Guacaya Bistreaux to collaborate on a dinner. This dinner series will showcase the collaborative spirit, talent, and camaraderie that exists between talented and diverse chefs in the culinary scene in the Twin Cities.

Menu

Scallop Ceviche

Bay Scallops / Leche de Tigre / Mango Amba / Watermelon Radish

Hmong Boudin

Pork/ Lemongrass/ Ginger/ Garlic/ Thai Chilies/ Rice / Kua Txob

Papa Huancaina

Purple Potato / Aji Sauce / Quail Egg / Olives / Queso Frito

Crispy Chicken

Chicken Thighs/ Fermented Sweet and Sour Crab/ Garlic Fried Rice

Alligator Grattons

Trini callaloo / Alligator Cracklings / Creolaise

Croquettes

Coconut Milk/ Rice Flour/ Mango Chili

Diners can select either 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. seatings. Tickets are $90 per person, and optional beverage pairings can be added for an additional $50; otherwise, cocktails and mocktails created by Guacaya’s partners from Meteor Bar, plus beer, wine, and other NA options, can be ordered à la carte.

Pairings by Meteor Bar & Tattersall Spirits are available optional with purchase of tickets:

 Book Your Table

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Chef’s PSA: Culinary Leadership Fundamentals

Upcoming Events

January 24, 2024:

Sean Sherman (Owamni)

February TBD:

Jon Wipfli (Animales)

March TBD:

Linda Goh (Zen Box Izakaya)

Advance Reservations

Guacaya Bistreaux
337 North Washington Avenue
 Minneapolis, MN
Last Minute Thanksgiving Take Out Options That Are Still Available – Twin Cities, MN

Last Minute Thanksgiving Take Out Options That Are Still Available – Twin Cities, MN

However you are celebrating this year, let us make your Thanksgiving meal a little easier and a lot more fun!
Order turkey from Union Hmong Kitchen with eggroll stuffing. Union Hmong Kitchen [Official]

Here are some local Thanksgiving takeout options for your Turkey Day delight. Whether you prefer a more carnivorous approach, a plant-free feast, or simply think the side dishes are the best part, the following restaurants are accepting pre-orders. Some have deadlines this week, so ordering sooner rather than later is best practice here.

 

All Sides, All the Time:

Redeye gravy and classic herb stuffing, Wise Acre Eatery

If you desire gravy with a kick of coffee smothered over whatever you can, dial up Wise Acre. There is also maple ginger roasted carrots, cranberry raisin sweet relish, garlic mashed potatoes, and a pickle plate sold a la carte for your fully customizable Thanksgiving needs. For carbo-loading purposes, Baker’s Field butternut squash rolls for $6 and four flavors of Viking & Goddesses pies are also available for pre-order. The most unique offering? A sweet corn custard pie that is studded with corn kernels.

Get it: Pre-order by Sunday, 11/22 at noon for a Tuesday, 11/24, or Wednesday 11/25 pick up from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thanksgiving Take and Bake (Everything but the Turkey), Stewart’s

For $160, Stewart’s will provide rolls, cranberry relish, smashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato gratin (with marshmallow), stuffing, and turkey gravy. Additional add ons include shrimp cocktail, monkey bread, or a perfectly paired bottle of wine for $20. If you are a fan of some of the offerings but not others or can’t have them due to dietary restrictions, call the restaurant about ordering items a la carte.

Get it: Pre-order by noon on Sunday, 11/22 for pick up Wednesday 11/25 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

 

Meat is the Main Event:

Smoked Turkey and Sides, Old Southern BBQ

If you want to enjoy a smoked turkey but are one of us unfortunate plebes (just kidding)that don’t have an at-home-smoker situation, or you simply…live in an apartment, never fear Old Southern BBQ has come to the rescue. For $79.99 you will receive a 12-14 lb turkey, creamed corn mashed potatoes, and gravy. Whether you are serving it up for the 8-10 guests suggested or plan to live on smoked turkey sandwiches for days afterward, good BBQ doesn’t sound too shabby.

Get it: Pre-order by Friday, 11/20 for pick up Monday, 11/23 through Wednesday 11/25.

Double Smoke Ham or Roasted Turkey Dinner, Cossetta’s

Keep it classic and comforting despite a tumultuous year with Cossetta’s. Decision making is difficult, so choose from one of these three heat and serve options: double smoked ham hock with Madeira glaze, half or whole turkey with turkey gravy and cranberry relish. Sides include mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, a spinach cranberry salad, green beans with oven-roasted peppers, house-made French baguette, and pumpkin pie.

Get it: Pre-order for Wednesday, 11/25 pick up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Turkey Dinner for Two, The Bungalow Club

The Bungalow Club’s Thanksgiving Dinner comes complete with turkey, sides, and honey nut squash pudding with a cocoa crust crumble. The menu of either a turkey or pork shoulder dinner comes in intimate sizes for two or four, with tons of appealing add ons. The pickles, spreads, focaccia, and drink options make for a creative and highly customizable option perfect for ordering with the intention of next-day leftovers.

Get it: Pre-order by 7 p.m. Friday, 11/20. Pick up on Wednesday, 11/25 between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.

 

Upgrade Over Tradition:

Turkey Packed with Eggroll Stuffing, Union Hmong Kitchen

If you’d rather a cheffy Thanksgiving with heat and complex acidity, Yia Vang and crew promise to deliver. Never had a turkey with eggroll stuffing inside it before? This could be your year. The takeout meal is on the larger side and comes to serve groups of eight to ten suggested guests for $385. Whether it’s the Hmong tater tot hotdish baked in carrot curry, Chef Vang’s mother’s galabao recipe, or the blistered string beans with crispy garlic… you’re definitely going to want seconds. As if the dishes didn’t sound flavorful enough on their own, two sauces are included: a tiger bite hot sauce and a bright lemongrass ginger sauce. Out of control.

Get it: Pre-order on Tock for a Wednesday, 11/25 pick up.

Hawaiian Luau Feast, The Buttered Tin

The 50th state has virtually the opposite weather to Minnesota, but if you ache at the thought of summer’s departure, order this feast and play pretend. The Buttered Tin’s Hawaiian Thanksgiving Feast is complete with smoky pork shoulder and braised cabbage, sushi-inspired white rice with furikake and rice wine vinegar, roasted vegetables, and macaroni salad are more than affordable at $25 for two. Options for four or six people are available if your family or company is larger than a twosome, or just if you want to eat serving after serving of macaroni salad in judgment free sanctity.

Get it: Pre-order by Wednesday 11/18 at 3 p.m. for pick up Tuesday, 11/24, and Wednesday, 11/25 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. No substitutions are available.

A bowl of jerk chicken over coconut rice

Jerk chicken all day. Pimento Jamaican Kitchen [Official]

Jerk Chicken combo dinner, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen

Neighborhood jewel Pimento Jamaican Kitchen will be serving up $25 per guest meals via pre-order or Bitesquad, Grubhub, Uber Eats, or Doordash. Each combo comes with a choice of either jerk chicken with coconut rice and beans, jerk pork with sweet fried plantains, or curry veggies with island slaw. All art served with Lutunji’s Palate gourmet cobbler and a choice of either red stripe beer or island soda. My advice? Order them all and eat family style. It’s cold outside and eating savory warming spices never hurt anyone.

Get it: Pre-order by emailing catering@pimentokitchen.com and check out their holiday menu here.

 

Leftovers Front and Center:

Turkey cranberry sliders and cheese boards, France 44/Minneapolis St. Paul Cheese Shop

The myriad of trays serves 10-15 people or up to 5 that are really dedicated. Turkey cranberry sliders with cranberry chutney on sweet dinners rolls are available if you like your entrees to be plentiful and bite-sized. There is something to be said of a Thanksgiving picnic spread full of cheese and charcuterie boards kicked up to 25, and it is: it sounds like a really good idea.

Get it: Pre-order from their menu by emailing catering@france44.com. They require 48 hours minimum for all orders.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich Take-n-Bake Pizza, Wrecktangle Pizza

If for Thanksgiving you’d just rather… not, why not order a pizza? Wrecktangle’s Detroit-style Thanksgiving pie is, let’s face it, positively unhinged and comes assembled and ready to pop into your home oven for those maximum crispy corner edges. Topped with cheese, cranberry, and poblano chili roasted turkey for a little sweet and a little heat, turkey gravy, bouquet garni AKA a bunch of herbs, and in true Minnesota fashion: tater tots. Each pizza will come with a pumpkin spiced krispy bar to drive this evil genius concoction for the low price of $20 further into the ground. Pair with a delicata squash salad with whipped goat cheese, pomegranate, and basil balsamic vinaigrette for a high-brow low-brow moment.

Get it: Pre-order to pick up: Wednesday, 11/25 from 12 p.m until 8 p.m

A table is set with sides and salads with pumpkins in a cornucopia and purple cloth napkins. There’s a sliced loaf, cucumber salad, and stuffing

The turkey-free feast from The Herbivorous Butcher. The Herbivorous Butcher [Official]

 

Vegetarian and Vegan Options:

Wild Rice Stuffing and mulled wine, The Lynhall

The Lynhall’s Thanksgiving take-home dinners come in three sizes: single, for two, or groups up to four in both their turkey and veggie option with roasted squash and a Beyond Beef “loaf.” Rolls with whipped butter, mushroom gravy, pies, and bottles of wine are available to add on a la carte. The mulled wine option comes complete with a spice blend and fruit since it is officially warm wine season.

Get it: Pre-order on Tock by Wednesday, 11/18 at 5 p.m., for pick up Tuesday 11/24 or Wednesday 11/25 from noon to 7 p.m.

Plant-Based Thanksgiving meal kit, Seed Cafe

Seed Cafe’s plant-based Thanksgiving Kits come packaged and ready for 2-3 or 4-6 people. The kale Caesar salad, creamy scalloped potatoes, quinoa salad, vegan meatloaf, and apple crisp are sure to be flavorful and comforting without any animal products.

Get it: Pre-order by Saturday, 11/21 at noon for pick up Wednesday, 11/25 between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Turkey-Free Feast, The Herbivorous Butcher

The Herbivorous Butcher’s turkey-free feast feeds 8-10 and includes a 2.5 lb stuffed turkey, maple sage breakfast sausage, hickory bacon, camembert sauce, herb cheddar, savory herb gravy packet and Dandies vegan marshmallows. Perfect for those that still like to do a little cooking and preparation, their website’s blog has recipes to follow or use for inspiration.

Get it: Pre-order for Tuesday, 11/24 or Wednesday 11/25 pick up.

Alkaline plant-based Friendsgiving meal, Keiko’s Kitchen

With a mindful focus on food that’s good for us and good for the earth, Keiko’s Kitchen is offering a special Friendsgiving meal. The following dishes are all plant-based and soy-free: Fried Oyster Chk’n, greens, jalapeño no-corn bread, mac n cheeze, and elderberry sweet tea. Add ons include $5 sides of fried oyster chk’n, $6 gallons of elderberry soursop sweet tea, and $4 sweet potato pie. Yes, please.

Get it: Pre-order by 11/22 (more details here). Pay via Venmo, PayPal, or Cashapp.

Consider paying it forward or donating what you can, they will also offer free meals.

The best of all meaty and vegan worlds in one package

Thanksgiving Dinner Package, Soul Bowl

Soul Bowl’s catered Thanksgiving menu is $50 for each half pan which serves 15-20 per pan. Macaroni and cheese, vegan or not, candied yams, black-eyed peas, and smoked turkey breast or vegan fried chicken are a few options up for grabs. Add a gallon of Beyonce blueberry lavender lemonade, sweet tea, or sides like gravy, cranberry sauce, and twelve cornbread muffins for $15 each. If it sounds like a dream but is simply too much food for your family’s get-together: convince a dear friend to go in on it with you, pack their portion in some tupperware, and wave through the window or from a safe distance away. Check out the full list of offerings here.

Get it: Pre-order via their websites inquiry form for pick up Wednesday, 11/25 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. or Thursday, 11/26 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

 

But what about Wednesday?

Thanksgiving Eve Pasta Family Feast, Estelle

Estelle’s $99 meal for four instead of turkey has casarecce bolognese pasta as the star with butternut squash soup, caesar salad, garlic rolls, and a Piedmontese chocolate hazelnut cake. If Turkey isn’t your thing, treat yourself to some pasta and the like rife with autumnal flavors.

Get it: Pre-order on Resy by Sunday, 11/22 at 5 p.m. for a Wednesday, 11/25 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. pick up.

Farm Purchase Gives Hmong Farmers A Long-Term Place To Grow In Dakota County – Minnesota

Farm Purchase Gives Hmong Farmers A Long-Term Place To Grow In Dakota County – Minnesota

Photo by @sharilgross

An association representing Hmong farmers is planning to buy 155 acres in Dakota County, a monumental land purchase for a group that wants to ensure the metro area’s pioneering small farmers have a place to grow fruits and vegetables for years to come.

The Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA) has been leasing the land in Vermillion Township for more than six years, allowing 100 farmers to grow fruit and vegetables just 15 minutes south of St. Paul. But leasing left the farmers with a sense of uncertainty, especially since suitable farmland near Minneapolis and St. Paul is increasingly scarce.

Now, HAFA is able to purchase the land with $2 million included in Minnesota’s $1.9 billion infrastructure borrowing package — funding that came out of $30 million specifically set aside for projects to benefit communities of color. HAFA must come up with $500,000 to complete the purchase.

Access to land is a huge challenge for small farmers, said Rep. Samantha Vang, DFL-Brooklyn Center, chief sponsor of the purchase proposal. Finding and buying affordable land is especially difficult for Hmong farmers, who face financial and language barriers, Vang said.

Allowing the farmers to own the land not only supports their livelihood, but provides consumers in the metro area with fresh, healthy food. Half the produce sold at local farmers markets is grown by Hmong farmers.

“It’s a smart state investment,” she said. “I know for sure that we’re changing lives.”

 

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Reporting by Erin Adler

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Union Hmong Kitchen – Minneapolis, MN

Union Hmong Kitchen – Minneapolis, MN

HISTORY

The Hmong people come from Southeast Asia (Laos, Vietnam, Thailand). They are nomadic with no country of their own, held together by their traditions, culture, art and cuisine. In the 1970s, many Hmong people left Asia for the United States after the Vietnam War, which brought Yia, Chris and their families to their new home in Minnesota.

 

ABOUT

Union Hmong Kitchen is a is a pop-up restaurant experience that features Hmong culture, stories, rituals, foods and flavors. We marry local traditions with those from back home in South and Eastern Asia to bring Hmong flavors to American palates. Every dish has a narrative and we look forward to sharing ours with you, through our food.

No matter where we were or what we were doing, we could hear the voice of my mom, a tiny Hmong woman, yelling for us to come to eat. My parents believed in eating at the table together for dinner. It was a time to take a pause in our lives and connect with each other. Sometimes there wasn’t much to talk about, and sometimes that was the moment my father took to give us a talking to. Regardless, the table was a big part of our family life. At the table we connected with each other and shared a meal.

YIA VANG

Vang was born in a Thai refugee camp, came to the United States at five years old, and eventually arrived in the Twin Cities as part of the largest urban Hmong population in the world. He cooked at Nighthawks, Borough, and Gavin Kaysen’s Spoon & Stable before starting Union Hmong Kitchen, and serves as a passionate, tireless, funny, and forgiving advocate for Hmong food as an expression of Hmong culture.

CHRIS HER

CHRIS_HER.jpg

Chris was born and raised in the East side of St. Paul. After high school, he pursued a degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota Duluth. While in UMD, he found a love and passion for cooking by making dinner for his roommates and friends. After graduation, he began his career in Accounts Payable at 3M, but after a taste of the corporate world there was another taste lingering in the back of his heart…his passion for cooking. He left his office job and started working as a line cook by night and pop-up business owner by day.

Union Hmong Kitchen

Residency at:

Sociable Cider Werks
1500 Fillmore St NE,
Minneapolis, MN 55413

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