Et Al. is a collective of chefs transforming the culinary scene in Tulsa. They host various events featuring a range of cuisines and service styles at Foolish Things Coffee.
Each member brings a unique taste and creative vision to his/her mouthwatering menus. With an exquisite global palate, Et Al. has garnered citywide attention and was a nominee for the Best New Restaurant 2023 by the James Beard Foundation.
Et Al. blends divine dishes with nostalgia: every meal tells a story about a special memory in the lives of its curators, whether it is a trip across the continent or a snapshot of a fond childhood. Flavorful food is not the only thing that will keep you coming back.
Et Al. has a way of making everyone who walks through their doors feel like a valued guest and not just a customer. The warmth and authenticity in the atmosphere are palpable that you could almost taste them.
Mae Baan, meaning “lady of the house” or “Mom’s House,” is a monthly pop-up event featuring Thai cuisine curated by Chef Kim Gaytan of the Et Al. collective. Her journey as a chef began as a child.
She says, “I have been cooking for as long as I remember. I cooked a lot for my little brother growing up and for the rest of my family as well. Professionally, I have been cooking for almost eight years now.”
Her passion for cooking has only grown stronger over the years. Gaytan noticed that Thai food was absent in Tulsa. She did not search for a place; she made the food that reminded her of home.
She recollects, “We would do a cookout after Sunday service, where we hung out and just ate really good food. I hope that people will be open enough to try this type of food because it is a little out there, and I want people to experience the flavorful, spicy, and smoky food I ate as a child.”
The Mae Baan menu is one-of-a-kind. Its deep, savory flavor is its hallmark. It features steak, chicken, rice, egg rolls, and vegetarian options like tofu and mushrooms. Beverages include Thai tea, Hibiscus soda, white wine, and sparkling rosé.
For dessert, customers can choose between tiramisu or mango sticky rice, which are both local favorites. This is only a snippet of the restaurant’s extensive menu. True to Kim Gaytan’s vision, Mae Baan is a taste of Thailand in Tulsa.
“The menu is Thai with influence of Laos and Vietnam, which is a perfect representation of me. I am Thai/Lao and Cambodian from my dad’s side and Vietnamese/Chinese from my mother’s side. All the food items are foods that I grew up eating,” says Gaytan.
“Yum Sen is a dish inspired by my grandmother. She is a vegetarian, and her favorite protein is tofu. She would make different versions of fried tofu growing up. Lemongrass tofu, salt and pepper, soy braised with green beans and bitter melon, so this dish is a shout out to her.” Needless to say, each dish bears nostalgic connotations and is a quiet tribute to her childhood.
“The other dishes: suea rong hai (soy marinated steak), moo krob (crispy pork), egg rolls, papaya salad, and chicken wings are all dishes we would have at a family cookout. Fried chicken and papaya are a classic staple; it is also my personal favorite on the menu,” she adds enthusiastically.
Mae Baan is hosted every Friday at the Foolish Things Coffee shop. This event will be held throughout December from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Food is served at the counter and is available as dine-in or to-go.
For more information about the Et Al. collective, visit https://www.etaltulsa.com/
