Van Nolintha is a Laotian American man who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. He opened a small and lively Laotian restaurant called Bida Manda with his sister in 2012 as a way to honor their parents, share their culture, and tell stories through food. In 2017, he and his sister joined Patrick Woodson, an inspired home brewer with a penchant for wood-aged beer, to open Brewery Bhavana—a dim sum Chinese restaurant, a taproom, a flower shop, and a bookstore. Currently, he and his partners are turning their attention to a new project called Luang Prabang, a Laotian Grill and Garden Bar at The Dillon, and hoping to open later this year. In the world of hospitality, Van hopes his work is a source of kindness and generosity for every guest who walks through the door.