Lecture, and cooking demo

Presented by: Mary Aregoni and Matt Eversman Owner, and Executive Chef of Saigon Sisters Restaurant, Chicago

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

Vietnamese cooking has long been acclaimed for its use of the freshest ingredients and the healthy balance it provides. Saigon Sisters’ owner Mary Nguyen Aregoni will present the history of The Street Food of Vietnam and how she has brought this culinary tradition to her downtown restaurant. Mary will help us understand how the food style’s vibrant colors, spicy flavors, pungent aromas and varying textures of soft, smooth and crunchy allow the senses to be fully satisfied.

From her family Vietnamese experience, she will explain the diverse food influences of Chinese (noodles, rice), French (baguettes, sandwiches), Indian (curries) and Thai (mango sticky rice, hotpot) and fresh vegetables that have created the street food tradition. She will also discuss the elements of Vietnamese cuisine that create each meal’s yin/yang balance.

Saigon Sisters’ Executive Chef Matt Eversman will demonstrates the art of Vietnamese appetizers with Spring Rolls, and provide samples, recipes and references on where to find the ingredients in Chicago for all.

Program hosted at Kendall College.