Exploring Life & Business with Posh Miles of THAI UP WITH POSH

Today we’d like to introduce you to Posh Miles.

Hi Posh, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Los Angeles from Thailand when I was eight years old, and adjusting to a new culture without my parents was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I had to grow up fast, learning how to take care of myself, including cooking out of pure necessity. At first, it was just about survival. I didn’t have access to a car or familiar food, so I started calling my family in Thailand and asking my grandma for recipes.

But over time, cooking became more than just a way to feed myself. It became my escape, a place where I could be in my own world. My grandma is the one who truly taught me how to cook. When I was little, she shared not just recipes, but the heart and soul behind each dish. She passed down what I now see as the secret key to cooking: cook with intention, with love, and never rush the process. That mindset stayed with me.

She’s the reason I’m still cooking today. Every dish I make carries her influence and my memories of home. Cooking connects me to who I am and where I come from, and it’s how I express myself. I don’t just cook to feed people—I cook to make them feel something. I pour my heart into every single plate.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road for me. Growing up, life was anything but easy. I moved to Los Angeles from Thailand when I was just eight years old, and from that moment on, I had to learn how to survive on my own. I didn’t have a traditional childhood or the comfort of an adult role model to look up to. Instead, I was forced to grow up fast and alone.

When I arrived in the U.S., I was placed under the care of my father and his new wife, but it quickly became clear I wasn’t welcome. My stepmother was abusive, and eventually, they left me behind to start a new life in another city without me. I was just a child, and they made the decision to move on without me. I was left to live in a house where my father had his employees rotate in and out. People came and went depending on who was working for him at the time. It was constantly changing—there was no stability and no one looking out for me. One of them, at one point, was a drug addict who terrified me daily. He once came at me with a knife, and I had to call the police to protect myself. Others in the house stayed silent. They didn’t want to get involved, so no one ever told my father what was happening.

I had to cook, clean, and raise myself from the age of eight. And as if that wasn’t already heavy enough, I also had to carry the weight of my identity. Growing up as a gay man in an environment where love, support, and understanding were scarce was incredibly difficult. My father rejected me for who I was, and that pain still sits deep. The silence between us wasn’t just about distance. It was about shame and denial, and it made me feel invisible.

But through it all, I found light in the kitchen. Cooking started as a survival skill, but it became something much deeper. It became a form of escape, a safe place where I could lose myself, express myself, and feel like I had control over something beautiful in my life. My grandma back in Thailand was the one who planted that seed in me. She taught me that good food isn’t just about taste; it’s about love, intention, and memory. She passed down the secret key to cooking: cook with your heart. And I carry that in every dish I make.

Today, I cook because it connects me to her, to my roots, and to the version of myself I’ve fought so hard to become. Every dish I prepare is layered with all the love I didn’t get, all the strength I had to build, and all the identity I refuse to hide. I put my heart into everything I make, because food—unlike people—has never failed to show up for me.

No matter what’s going on in life, eating a good meal always makes the day a little better. That’s what I want to give to people: the chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy something comforting. Life can be overwhelming, but when you’re served good food with genuine hospitality, it creates a moment of peace. That’s what I strive to offer every time I cook.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about THAI UP WITH POSH?
Thai Up With Posh is my personal invitation into a world where authentic Thai food, culture, and connection come together around one intimate table. It’s not just a meal. It’s an experience I host right in my own apartment, usually once or twice a month, by reservation only. I wanted to create a space where people can truly slow down, share good food, and connect in a way that feels warm and genuine.

Every dinner is a carefully curated five-course meal, and no two are the same. I bring the authentic flavors of Thailand to life using traditional recipes passed down through generations, while also putting my own spin on them. That might come through creative plating, unexpected flavor pairings, or presentation that tells a story. The taste always stays true to my roots, but the way the food looks and feels on the plate reflects my creativity and love for what I do.

But Thai Up With Posh is about so much more than cooking. It’s about the ambiance I create—from the soft lighting and music to the small details that make the space feel like a home away from home. It’s about the hospitality I pour into every interaction, making sure each guest feels seen, comfortable, and part of something special. And it’s about the people who gather around the table. Guests often share stories, learn about Thai culture, and make new friendships during those moments.

What I’m most proud of is how Thai Up With Posh brings people together to enjoy not just food, but an experience that nourishes the heart and soul. In a busy world, I want to offer my guests a chance to pause, savor good food, and leave feeling a little lighter, a little happier, and a lot more connected.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is community—the kind of true, meaningful connection that many people crave but few are lucky enough to find. Growing up without a traditional family or parental support was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. I was left to navigate life on my own from a very young age, without the guidance or love that so many take for granted. That experience taught me something profound: family isn’t just about blood or biology. It’s about the people we choose to surround ourselves with, the bonds we build, and the community we create from the ground up.

Because I didn’t have a safe, loving family growing up, I know what it feels like to be unseen, unheard, and isolated. That’s exactly why building community means everything to me. I want to create spaces where people feel welcomed no matter who they are. Spaces where judgment doesn’t exist and where differences are celebrated rather than feared. It doesn’t matter what color you are, where you come from, who you love, or what you believe in—everyone deserves to belong.

That’s why I created my private dining experience. When I bring people together around one table, I’m not just serving food. I’m building a small, temporary family. Sometimes strangers become friends. Sometimes conversations spark new ideas. And sometimes I see something even more beautiful—two people meet for the first time and, weeks or months later, they’re building a life together. I’ve witnessed guests who started as strangers leave my table as friends, and I can’t tell you how deeply fulfilling that is.

I believe food has a unique power to break down barriers and bring people closer. But the real magic happens in the connections—the stories shared, the laughter, the moments of vulnerability. I want my guests to know that they’re seen and valued. That they have a place to be themselves without fear or judgment. I remember what it felt like to be alone in this world, and I never want anyone else to feel that way.

This is why my work is more than a business to me. It’s a mission. Every dinner I host is a chance to change someone’s day, maybe even their life. If I can help one person feel less alone, more understood, or simply a little happier than the day before, then everything I’ve been through is worth it. That hope, that sense of belonging, is what drives me every single day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thaiupwithposh?igsh=MW9lN3QwbDQxem0xdA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575605369852

Image Credits
Issac Garcia