artLIVE – On November 22, at Madame Lam Restaurant, young participants enjoyed a colorful and flavorful experience in the workshop ‘Làm Bánh Tằm cùng bếp trưởng Như Cường‘ (Making Bánh Tằm with Chef Như Cường) marking the third chapter of the philanthropic series ‘Trao Hương Vị, Gửi Yêu Thương’ (Sharing Flavors, Sending Love).
Following the success of the previous workshops — “Making Mooncakes” and “Making Bánh Ít Trần” — the “Bánh Tằm Workshop” is the third monthly session in the ongoing series. The program not only brings joy through learning how to make traditional Vietnamese cakes but also teaches children values of compassion, generosity, and community connection.
All proceeds from participation fees are donated to the Vietnam Children’s Fund to support and encourage young cancer patients. This initiative marks the beginning of Madame Lam’s mission to spread meaningful human values through Vietnamese cuisine.
“Làm Bánh Tằm cùng bếp trưởng Như Cường” – Exploring Folk Flavors and Sharing Love
This workshop guided children into the world of bánh tằm — a beloved folk specialty of the Mekong Delta. Starting with raw cassava roots still covered in soil, the kids curiously followed each step: peeling, shredding, and shaping the smooth cassava strands. Under Chef Như Cường’s guidance, they created naturally colored three-tone bánh tằm: white from cassava, purple from magenta leaves, and green from pandan, served with shredded coconut and fragrant coconut cream.
The children took part in every stage — kneading dough, shaping noodles, and finally bringing home their own handmade dessert. Their faces lit up with joy and pride as they admired the treats crafted by their own hands.
Through this fun culinary playground, children not only enjoyed making traditional cakes but also gained a deeper appreciation of Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage across different regions. Their participation also contributed support to children in difficult circumstances, building a bridge of love and hope through meaningful connections.
Chef Cường shared that this bánh tằm workshop saw an increase in attendance:
“I and the Madame Lam team are truly happy to see the program reaching more parents and children through each session. Some kids even returned for a second time, and parents said they plan to bring them again. We’re deeply grateful for such heartfelt support.”
Madame Lam – where the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine is imbued with contemporary emotions
Madame Lam embraces contemporary Vietnamese cuisine inspired by Indochine aesthetics and the depth of Vietnamese culture. Each dish is like an old story retold in a new voice — refined, modern, yet infused with emotional Vietnamese spirit.
Within a space where nostalgia meets modernity, flavors, plating, and interior details harmonize to create a dining experience where the past and present gently intertwine. More than a culinary destination, Madame Lam is a place of connection and shared values, inspiring kindness and community through each experience.
The restaurant also prioritizes local, seasonal, and natural ingredients, preserving original flavors while sharing stories of Vietnamese land and people through every dish. Under Chef Như Cường’s skillful hands, each creation becomes a cultural vignette — where Vietnamese culinary heritage is reimagined with contemporary emotion, subtle yet profound.
Alongside its culinary philosophy, the restaurant prioritizes seasonal, locally sourced, and natural ingredients to preserve authentic flavors and share stories of the Vietnamese land and its people. Under the skilled hands of Chef Như Cường, every dish becomes a cultural vignette—where Vietnamese heritage is infused with contemporary sensibilities, both subtle and profound.
Sharing about Madame Lam’s “Sharing Flavors, Sending Love” program, Mr. Rad Kivette – CEO of the Vietnam Children’s Fund – said:
“I am very proud to collaborate with Madame Lam and Chef Như Cường on the ‘Sharing Flavors, Sending Love’ program to support treatment and encouragement for our young cancer patients, helping them hold onto hope for the future. Chef Cường and the Madame Lam team are not only compassionate and giving, but also incredibly dedicated and creative in organizing baking workshops for children and introducing them to Vietnamese cuisine. What’s wonderful is that this program is created for children, centered on children. We are committed to donating all proceeds from this series to KARE, a program of the Vietnam Children’s Fund that supports pediatric cancer treatment.”
Image: Madame Lam
