Meet our fearless leader, Chef Lalita Souksamlane. Renowned California restauranteur and pioneering leader in San Francisco’s Thai food movement since 1996. Over the past 27 years, Lalita has grown to fame by redefining the Thai culinary experience with a modern approach, receiving multiple awards and acclaim from food critics across the globe. 

Her award-winning cuisine boasts modern takes on authentic Thai favorites, utilizing contemporary culinary techniques, paired with her distinct cooking style. Showcasing dishes rarely tasted in Thai cuisine. 

The most unique quality about Chef Lalita’s cuisine is her passion for the craft. Cooking is not just a means of living; it is her life passion and is rooted deep in her DNA. Her first memories are of cooking in the kitchen with her father in her home village of Nongkhai in Northeast Thailand. She attributes her passion for the culinary arts to her father, who inspired her to open her own restaurant. To this day she keeps his original recipes alive on in the cuisine at her restaurants.

Souksamlane moved to San Francisco after completing culinary school in 1995 to pursue her lifelong dream of opening her own Thai restaurant. Just one year later, that dream turned into a reality with the opening of Osha Thai on Geary Street in 1996. Over the past 27 years her empire has expanded beyond her wildest dreams, while staying true to her origins. On top of owning and operating 2 famous San Francisco restaurants (Osha Thai & Lao Table), Lalita is also the founder of boutique bed and breakfast in Napa Valley, Bann at Oak Knoll. She is also the executive Chef of acclaimed Torsap Thai Kitchen in Walnut Creek and Carlsbad, CA.