Featured Destination: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Culinary Explorations: Northern Thai Cuisine with Mandy Lee

November 16 - 23, 2025

Embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure where you'll experience the vibrant flavors and rich cultural heritage of Northern Thai cuisine in Chiang Mai, alongside Mandy Lee of Lady and Pups. This immersive culinary exploration, takes you beyond the typical Thai food we see in our home countries and instead focuses on the diverse ingredients and flavors stemming from the regional climate, topography, and multicultural influences of the Lanna Kingdom. Throughout the trip, Mandy will share her lens on how we can infuse our own ideas into the traditional practices we observe from the locals.

We’ll partner with two-time James Beard Award winner and Michelin star recipient, Chef Andy Ricker for an unforgettable day experiencing Northern Thai cuisine through his eyes. We’ll explore rice fields, visit local markets and makers, and savor Lanna cuisine at Andy's favorite eateries, all while soaking in his vast knowledge and insights into Thai culture and culinary traditions.

We’ll also spend a day with Chef Yaowadee Chookong of Maadae Slow Fish Kitchen, food activist and a champion for Indigenous people and cuisine. Chef Yao will lead us on a journey to delve into the diverse ingredients and flavors of the hill tribes where we’ll learn not only cooking techniques, but also about the intersection of Indigenous culture, food, and community through our time with this group.