OUR TEAM – Baan Lao

Nutcha Phanthoupheng, Proprietor & Executive Chef

Born in the countryside region of Isaan in Thailand, Nutcha was raised living the authentic ‘farm to table’ experience, using only local, fresh, organic ingredients at home. She has been privately trained by Michelin star chefs in Thailand, received her Thai Cuisine diploma from The Blue Elephant in Bangkok, certification from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok Cooking School, and her food carving certificate from Bussaracum Royal Thai Cuisine.

Her commitment to fresh farm and field-to-table ingredients, life-long immersion in traditional Thai cuisine, and exceptional training with some of the best Thai chefs in the world guarantee each guest a mouth-watering meal that will please your eyes, nose and palate.

Pier-Alexis Soulière - Master Sommelier, Wine Consultant

Pier-Alexis has been providing world class wine service and enhancing guest experiences at some of the most prestigious Michelin star establishments, and across three continents, from Montreal, to London, Sydney, New York City and California. In 2014, he was named World Young Sommelier of the Year, and in 2016, he became one of very few to earn the Master Sommelier title before the age of 30; a title held by only five individuals in Canada and 257 worldwide. In 2017, he was named Quebec’s Best Sommelier by the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, and one year later was awarded Best Sommelier of the Americas by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.

Lena Pan - TAC Certified Tea Sommelier

Lena Pan is a Certified Tea Sommelier, professionally accredited by the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada. Born in China and raised in Japan, Lena brings a unique cultural lens to her work in tea. Her academic journey led her to Canada, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics followed by a Master of Food Science.

Lena joined the Baan Lao team to develop a tea pairing menu for Chef Nutcha’s “Afternoon Tea Thai Experience at BAAN LAO” for the summer of 2024.

Lena will be on site every Saturday and Sunday during our Afternoon Tea from May 4 onwards.

Del Tamborini - TAC Certified Tea Sommelier

Del Tamborini joined the Baan Lao team to create the tea pairing menu for Chef Nutcha’s two menus launched in the summer of 2022, “Taste of Baan Lao” and “From The Fields of Thailand To The Shores of Canada”. He has also contributed to our diverse menu of teas offered on our beverage menu.

You can often find Del at our Baan Lao tea cart, meticulously preparing his tea pairings for guests.

A Certified Tea Sommelier with over a decade of experience in the tea industry, Del spent seven years as instructor of the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada’s Tea Sommelier Certification Program at Vancouver Community College.

Emmanuelle Viennois - TAC Certified Tea Sommelier

Originally from France, Emmanuelle is a Certified TAC Tea Sommelier® with the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada.

Emmanuelle was our first Tea Sommelier at Baan Lao and curated some of the incredible tea selections available on our beverage menu.

Committed to contemplative practices, she also works as a meditation guide, conducting Mindful Tea and Appreciation workshops.

Kaitlyn Stewart - Beverage Consultant & Cocktail Creator

Kaitlyn Stewart began bartending to help pay for her university education but fell in love with the craft, discovering her passion was creating great experiences and exceptional drinks for her customers.

Kaitlyn loves to shake up a wide selection of innovative yet approachable drinks, incorporating local spirits and seasonal ingredients, making her the perfect choice to create Baan Lao’s signature cocktails and mocktails you’ll find featured on our drink menu.

Well known in Vancouver and beyond for her talent, Kaitlyn was named World Class Bartender of the Year in 2017, during the World Class Cocktail Competition in Mexico City.

Elena MacGregor, Branding Expert

Elena MacGregor is a branding expert, 30-year entrepreneur and business coach. Elena’s portfolio includes the prestigious, award-winning design of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Logo. Her company, Blue Square Design Studio (formerly Rivera Design Group), specializes in developing branding and marketing materials for small and medium business.

In 2010, Elena was chosen as one of the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians. She has received the Toastmasters Community Leadership Award, the CASE Bronze Award, the StoraEnso Design Excellence Award and the Neenah Papers Silver Award.

Elena’s work and interviews have appeared in Applied Arts Magazine, HOW (Design) Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, CBC Radio, CBC for the Americas, The Province, The Globe and Mail, The Vancouver Sun, and Architectural Digest.