Food Stuff

In Vietnam’s lively cities, some of the best cooking is found on the street. Street vendors earn their living by specializing in one or two dishes, expertly cranking them out for years on end. Discover some of these culinary gems on February 20, when the Learning Exchange presents an evening with Mai Pham (929-9200 or www.learningexchange.com). Pham, the accomplished owner/chef of Lemon Grass Restaurant, will delve into the street-vendor food of her homeland. The evening starts with a video originally broadcast by the Food Network, which chronicles Mai’s recent excursion to Vietnam. Pham then will deliver a cooking demonstration based on recipes from her critically acclaimed cookbook, Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table. After dining abundantly, guests will depart with a “starter kit” of Vietnamese ingredients. Look for a memorable evening with a hostess both engaging and streetwise.