Ma Der Lao Kitchen: Growing Oklahoma City's culinary scene with Chef Jeff

Chef Jeff Chanchaleune's culinary journey is not just boosting Oklahoma City’s recognition on the national scale; it’s introducing the vibrant culture and flavors of Laos to the palates of Oklahoma City residents.

Growing up immersed in the restaurant industry alongside his chef father, Jeff revealed a personal connection to Ma Der Lao – the surprise that the parking lot behind the restaurant was once his childhood home, completing a full-circle journey. After operating an American diner in Mustang working seven days a week, Jeff's parents set the stage for his culinary passion. Despite investing two and a half years in his advertising career after earning a degree from OU, Jeff opted to leave his full-time job. His journey led him to Chicago for a few months, where he worked and pursued his genuine passion: food.

Spending less than a year in Chicago, he gained experience in Japanese restaurants like Slurping Turtle, Sumi Robata and Oii Star before landing a position at Arami. In this brief yet impactful period, Jeff aimed to delve deeper into Japanese cuisine and bring diverse influences back to Oklahoma City.

You can read this entire article on VeloCityOKC.com.