Hidden Gems: Meet Mitchelle Phanbandith of Soul Thai’d LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mitchelle Phanbandith.

Hi Mitchelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Over a decade ago, when I was in culinary school, we had to come up with a restaurant idea for a class assignment that was going to take the whole quarter to finish and present. At that time I was in a long term relationship and he was from Georgia and my expertise of cuisine was Thai. As I thought it about it and researching restaurants all over San Diego. No one had that kind of fusion of soul food and Thai cuisine. Then that when Soul Thai’d concept began. So after that, I began to work on creating a menu and seeing what dishes from both sides that will work and beautifully cohesive. Months of working on this project idea, I was quite proud with myself. I never thought about that concept again. After, graduating from the ART Institute, my school project slowly started to linger back into my mind.
I took a trip costal road trip in Oregon and was trying to figure out what was my next step, still with my class project concept still flowing in my head. I needed a name for my concept. I wanted something catchy with meaning. I wanted people to ask questions about the name and story behind it, I knew I was going to put so much love and energy to it. The word soul, for soul food and the southern states that offers the feel food comfort food, and Thai’d of course is the fusion but I have a D at the end of Thai’d. I wanted it to be a play on the paying SOUL TIES. The D just makes it a remix on the word. I just loved that soul ties have some good meaning, 2 things that can create something beautiful or become one. In my mind, I could see that Thai food and soul food can go together and become something amazing. Both cuisines are comfort foods and I wanted that kind of concept, want my creations to feel like home.

As, I continue to work on Soul Thai’d but also working at restaurants to become a better chef and learning more skills. Time got away from Soul Thai’d but never left my heart. So I decided to go back to my baby. I quit my full time head chef position at a known French restaurant and put everything on me and Soul Thai’d. I started a small catering business. A one chef show, cooking up a meals for high clientele in Rancho Santa Fe. Cooking amazing dishes from Soul Thai’d menu and many new ones as well.

I am so grateful for all the opportunities that I was able to get with Soul Thai’d. All the clients that gave this small catering business/ private chef a chance. So much gratitude and I am looking forward to more opportunities and collaboration in the future to come!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I feel like any business will have its struggles and bumps on the road. The important thing is it’s important enough to us, never stop trying until you see the result you want.

When I decided for Soul Thai’d to become a small business, I knew from the start there would be some uphill battles. The food industry continue to grow, creative minds started to come out and I was afraid that Soul Thai’d wasn’t going to be able to live up to the dream I had for it. Financially, it was really hard. I did not come from money nor did I have a lot money for a small business. I just had my faith and a great concept that I felt in my whole heart that could work, so I pushed through. Months went by and I couldn’t get a client and money was running low, I was starting to lose hope. Then finally I got my first small dinner and it gave some hope. Soon after, I landed my first client I was so happy and then domino effect. I was feeling grateful. Bring it on challenges, I am ready for you!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Soul Thai’d started as a culinary school project that turned in a dream concept. Soul Thai’d is based in San Diego and caters all over southern and northern parts of California. Our concept is soul food and Thai cuisine fusion, creative recipes that taste like home and comfort.

Soul Thai’d is different from others because it’s not just food but wanting people to experience something different. We are very intentional with recipes and who we decided to work with. Clients that Soul Thai’d have catered for and in the future, there has to be an alignment. Creating Soul Thai’d was based on intentionality and the love that was put into it. Everything doesn’t haven’t to be about money but alignment and that’s how I see things.

Soul Thai’d offers- catering, private dining and meal drop offs.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Soul Thai’d might be a small business but its mighty in very way!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/soul.thaid