For Vol. I, we take a moment to learn about pho — and its lesser-known Laotian style. The hope is to celebrate the cultural weight of the foods that make us who we are, starting with a family favorite, honed and styled from years of cooking and travel.
"For many, pho is not just a dish — it is memory, migration, and inheritance."
Storytellers Brunch is a ticketed cultural dining experience co-presented by The Lass Stop and Soup From Bones — part live cooking demonstration, part storytelling event, part communal feast. Brought home to Lowell to share what has been learned, and to celebrate where we might be going.
Throughout both seatings, your chef speaks on the significance of pho in Southeast Asian culture — its roots, its diaspora, and what it means to carry a bowl of broth across an ocean.
A local Lowell musician performs across both seatings — setting the tone for an afternoon that feels as much like a gathering as it does a meal.
A full prix fixe experience for 110 guests across two seatings — built around the ritual of pho, the toppings bar, and the pleasure of eating together slowly.
For those who want a more intimate and behind-the-scenes moment with the chef, we are offering a VIP experience before the first seating. Capacity is strictly limited to 10.
VIP tickets include everything in the general experience — plus early access, a personal Pho Story from the chef, a complimentary drink, a house-made spice mix, and a special secret gift you'll have to show up to find out about. These go first.
Early entry · cooking demo · Pho story · complimentary drink · spice mix · secret gift · full brunch
Cap: 10 guestsFull prix fixe brunch experience
Cap: 40 guestsFull prix fixe brunch experience
Cap: 35 guestsDay-of entry, space permitting
Cap: 25 guests110 guests total · First Seating 11 AM–1 PM · Second Seating 2:30–4:30 PM
Johnny Chanthavong is a Lao-American culinary storyteller, event producer, and artist based in Lowell, MA. Operating under the brand Soup From Bones, his work aims to highlight and share how ingredients become recipes that become stories — and how those stories connect us to each other and to where we come from.
For Vol. I of Storytellers Brunch, Johnny brings his Laotian heritage to the table — tracing pho's journey across borders and generations, and inviting Lowell to sit down, slow down, and eat together.
Laying down some soothing sounds while you dine, creating the feast for the ears is Jasper Crystal Wizard. A first gen Cambodian American musician with Lowell roots who uses music to create a real bluesy-soul vibe for the modern times.
A soulful lounge where sound, flavor, and art collide — The Lass Stop is a celebration of heritage, culture, and community right here in the heart of Lowell. World-class jazz, elevated Asian-inspired plates, craft cocktails, and immersive design come together in a space built to slow time down and bring people together. The perfect home for Storytellers Brunch.
We are deeply grateful to the entire team at The Lass Stop for opening their doors and making this event possible. None of this happens without them.
This event is sponsored in part by...
Sponsors to be announced
Tickets are available on Eventbrite — lock in your seat and choose your seating time.
Get Tickets on Eventbrite Questions? Please email [email protected]