Chouny Thidavanh

Chouny was born and raised in the countryside, 21 kilometres north of the tranquil town of Luang Prabang. As a young girl, her days were marked by family duties—caring for her younger siblings, cooking for the family, helping her parents on the farm—a heavy burden for someone so young. At just nine years old, she made a brave decision to leave her family and hometown to live with relatives in Luang Prabang in pursuit of her education. Chouny describes this choice as life-changing, opening the door to many amazing opportunities she still enjoys today.

After graduating from high school, she entered the hospitality industry, working as a chef in a well-regarded hotel in the beautiful town of Luang Prabang. This is where her passion for cooking truly blossomed. She gained confidence by learning from colleagues and sharing her culinary skills with guests.

Life took another turn when Chouny got married and started a family. She found herself torn between her two passions—her love for cooking and her devotion to her family. Earlier this year, she decided to combine the two. Now, Chouny offers home-cooked family meals in the comfort of her own traditional wooden house, set against the stunning backdrop of a verdant valley.