Yia Vang believes Hmong cuisine is a philosophy of food, defined by its process. He currently showcases the story of Hmong cuisine and culture through his Minneapolis-based pop-up, Union Hmong Kitchen, which operates through a residency at Mid City Kitchen. Vang will be expanding later this year with his first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Vinai, whose name comes from Bah Vinai - the refugee camp in Thailand where he was born. Here, he looks forward to putting the Hmong tradition of hospitality at the forefront of the dining experience.