May 6, 2025

May is for Mothers

Kicking off Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month by highlighting and photographing the everyday women in my life who have faced challenges and risen to the occasion. I want the kids to see real-life heroes—the kind who don’t wear capes but show up every single day with strength, heart, and purpose.

Fah Vora is one of them. She’s the chef and owner of Lemongrass Café. What began as a source of peace and joy in the kitchen turned into a career spanning over two decades.

When she attended the Culinary Institute of America in 2000, she was one of only two women—and the only Asian—in her class. A classmate once told her, “This isn’t a place for a woman. Women should only cook at home, not in a professional kitchen.”

Those words were cruel and disheartening. But Fah didn’t let them define her. She pushed through, found her own path, and proved that she belonged—not just in the kitchen, but in leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

Today, she’s a mother of two, a successful restaurateur, and a generous member of her community—donating food from her restaurant to support local schools and events.

To me, she’s a reminder that resilience, kindness, and hard work can take you farther than anyone else’s expectations. And yes—she still dreams of taking piano lessons someday when life slows down just a bit.

Check out her fabulous restaurant, newly built-out Lemongrass-Cafe! My go-to dishes? The curry crab firecrackers and tuna tartare- perfectly seasoned with a horseradish sauce that’s got just the right kick!

Here’s to the women who quietly and boldly make the world better—one dish, one act, one day at a time.