Nan Thai Buckhead Executive Chef/Owner Deedee Niyomkul Shares Lessons From Her Iconic Mother

On the busiest day of the year, Mother's Day, Nan Thai Buckhead chef/owner DeeDee Niyomkul carries her mother Nan's culinary and life lessons into her bustling kitchen. Growing up immersed in her parents' restaurant empire (Tamarind and Nan Thai Fine Dining), DeeDee initially resisted the demanding nature of the hospitality industry. However, working alongside her father in the front of the house and then learning her mother's intricate Thai cooking techniques, particularly the layering of balanced flavors, transformed her perspective. She now proudly serves signature dishes like her mother's lamb shank hung lay, honoring the family's culinary traditions in the Buckhead location.

Beyond the technical skills, DeeDee also absorbed crucial life lessons from her mother, including the necessity of patience in Thai cooking and the importance of passion in any endeavor. Recognizing their shared stubbornness and perfectionism, DeeDee now imparts these values to her own son. While Mother's Day itself is spent serving her restaurant guests, DeeDee plans to celebrate her mother with a special, thoughtfully prepared uni pasta dish, acknowledging the profound gift of someone cooking for a chef and continuing the family's legacy through their own success.

Read more about this generational story of history, respect, and love in Atlanta Journal-Constitution.