Episode 5 - SEA Dreams - Can One Culinary Rating System Be Used For the Entire World?

The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

In this episode of SEA Dreams, we explore the Michelin star rating system’s journey from its beginnings as a French tire company’s travel guide to its status as a global authority on fine dining. But can one rating system really capture the full spectrum of culinary excellence worldwide?

As Michelin expands into Southeast Asia—covering everything from Singapore’s fine dining to Bangkok’s vibrant street food—questions arise about the balance between global standards and local flavors.

Join us as we examine Michelin’s criteria for awarding stars, its impact on Southeast Asia’s diverse culinary culture, and the dynamic relationship between tradition and modernity in the region’s food scene. This episode offers insights into how global dining trends intersect with Southeast Asia’s unique flavors and traditions, sparking fresh debates about authenticity, cultural preservation, and what “quality” really means.

Welcome to SEA Dreams! Explore Southeast Asia’s dynamic past, present, and future landscape through the lens of culture, food, business, history, and politics. Each episode deep dives into expert analysis on key events shaping Southeast Asia. Whether you're a professional, student, or curious listener, this podcast will provide fresh perspectives and thought-provoking conversations on the forces driving change in this influential region.

An Vo is an Australian-Vietnamese living in America with a background in law, politics, economics, and multi-cultural affairs. He has advised both state and federal government bodies on multi-cultural affairs. Having emigrated to Australia at age 5 An has spent two decades each in both Australia and the US but still retains his Aussie accent.

Phillip Van is a commercial director and screenwriter whose work has earned recognition from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Filmmaker Magazine, and awards at festivals such as Sundance and Berlin. Half-Vietnamese and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he draws on his unique cultural background to inform his creative perspective. His projects are currently in development with major studios, including Netflix and Fifth Season.

Kenneth Nguyen is a Los Angeles based podcaster and film producer with over two decades in the Vietnamese media space. Kenneth hosts and produces The Vietnamese podcast with over 400 episodes recorded. Kenneth Nguyen is a founding partner of EAST Films.

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Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

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