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Culture Generation hosted A Journey to Thailand — a cultural and culinary immersive experience that welcomed guests from as far as Texas, Portland, and Boise, Idaho, right here to Kent, Washington, to discover the richness of Thai food and heritage within our local immigrant community. Through storytelling, geography, and cultural insight, participants were transported to Thailand as they explored the ingredients that form the heart of the Thai pantry from lemongrass and galangal to chili pastes, fish sauce, and coconut milk. Guests learned how Thailand’s four distinct culinary regions — the Northeast, Bangkok, the South, and the Central Plains have shaped the migration stories of Thai people who now call the U.S. home, and how those regions are reflected in the diverse range of Thai restaurants and recipes we enjoy today. The experience included a hands-on walkthrough at Southeast Asian Mart, where participants learned how to identify staple pantry ingredients and prepare for authentic Thai cooking. That knowledge came to life later in the day at Saree Thai Restaurant, where guests enjoyed dishes that reflected the very ingredients and regions they had just studied. The chef’s warm hospitality and thoughtful preparation allowed participants to understand why, for Thai communities, food is inseparable from culture, a living expression of migration, and identity. With 20 attendees and two locally owned immigrant businesses featured, the event reflected Culture Generation’s mission: to uplift communities through food, culture, and belonging.