Today we’d like to introduce you to Lo Soukhavong.
Hi Lo, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Imagine escaping a nation with nowhere to turn to, no food or drinks to consume, the sounds of gun fires and grenades going off in the background! That’s what Sourikone Soukhavong “Lo” and his immediate family had to endure during the communist war in the country of Laos. Left with no hope and disparity, they were able to receive help from a Polk County Presbyterian Church. Several sponsors from the church were instrumental helping Lo and his immediate family which included is grandparents, uncles & cousins. At the age of 2 years old, Lo and his family had to adapt to a new environment where they did not speak the language or understand the culture, but where very grateful to be here to face the new challenges ahead of them. Many of the sponsors open their homes to Lo’s family and received many clothing and useful items from the church service center.
After a year living with the sponsors, Lo and his family were able to move forward in the new country on their own. The family worked very hard to the point where they were able to purchase their 1st home. It was a 500 sq. ft trailer. It wasn’t much, but it was their sanctuary and a roof over their heads. Lo attended Stephens Elementary, Floral Avenue and later graduated from Bartow Senior High School. During his tenure at Bartow High, Lo worked at the Lakeland Yatch Club where he took great interest and pride in fine dining service, food & wine, and operating a food service business. After 3 years servicing the club, Lo decided to pursue his dream of owning his own food service business. With the support of his family and every bit of savings, he attended Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. JWU is recognized as the World’s largest hospitality educator and holds a distinction in Culinary Arts. After 4 years at JWU, Lo holds an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and a bachelor’s in Food Service Entrepreneurship.
Working at various prestigious restaurants and private clubs, as a culinary instructor for the Radisson Hotel, Chef de Cuisine for Gaylord Palm’s Florida, and now equipped with the title Chef Lo, have launched one of the most eclectic catering & private chef business servicing all of central Florida called Millenia Event Catering.
Millenia Event Catering currently has 14 full time, 4 part time and 70 on call team members. The company just reached a milestone of 15years of service. Over the decade of service has produced over 15 million dollars in revenue. Chef Lo continues to give back to the community that once giving so much to him and his family. During hurricane Irma, which many out of food and clean water, Chef Lo and his company donated their time and service to cook over 20,000 meal to feed the community. The company just incorporated a philanthropic pledge where Millenia Catering works with The Lovely Project & Ronald McDonald House. “We are humbled and have been blessed to be in a position to give back to the community who gave so much to my family and I.”
Millenia Catering currently executes over 300 events a year. Millenia Catering also own 3 event venues: Idlewood Venue (Idlewoodvenue.com) Dr Phillips House (DrPhillipsHouse.com) and Town Manor on the Lake (TownManorWeddings.com)
Some of Chef’s Lo inspiration has come from the teachings Steven Covey and John Maxwell. His favorite quote and creed is “Environment has made you who you are, but you have the responsibility of who you become.” This has been rewarding to get to this point. Millenia Event Catering looks forward to another decade of service. This journey has truly encompasses the American Dream!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Coming to the US as a refugee was a huge disadvantage because we did not know the culture, language and the people. It took some time to adapt to the new environment.
The one thing that I learned at an early age was America was a land of opportunity and you can become anything you want to as long as you put in the time and effort to.
Being in the food service business always has its challenges. With Food Network and many other TV programs related to food, the public has a larger opinion and thoughts on how food should be presented.
As you know, we’re big fans of Millenia Catering. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Although we are in the food service business, People is our number 1 priority. We are a people-centric business. This is what sets us apart from other catering companies. “People come first, than money, than things!” (Suzie Orman).
Not only does this pertains to our clients, but more so our staff also. “If we take care of our people, they will take care of our customers, and the customers will come back.”
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Haha! Good question! Although I am a classically French trained chef with a South East Asian background, I really enjoy junk food! Burgers, Fries, Potato Chips, Candy, Ice Cream, etc.! I see high end ingredients turned into magically plates all day long, so junk food becomes my guilty pleasure.
Contact Info:
- Email: cheflo@milleniacatering.com
- Website: www.MilleniaCatering.com
- Instagram: Millenia_Catering
- Facebook: Millenia Catering
