Neu Mune Farmstead
Bonsall, California - San Diego County
Not Open to Public - Construction in Progress

LALA LANDO'S STORY

Lan Thai, aka LaLa Lando’s story begins in a refugee camp in Thailand, where she was born to parents fleeing the communist takeover of Vietnam. Growing and cooking food was not a luxury in her early life, but a precious necessity; she literally doesn’t remember learning to use a knife–it was as much a part of her developmental experience as learning to walk or speak. It’s difficult to overstate the fundamental role that food, its production, and its preparation played in her life, just as it’s difficult to overstate the visceral connection that she developed with cooking as a result. The potential of food and culinary tradition to sustain, connect, and lift up families and communities is a chief contributing factor in her view of cooking and eating. This deeply-layered perspective shines through in the cuisine she creates, which manages to be both grounded and elevated, an achievement born of a life lived through food.

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Lando’s journey into the culinary world began after leaving her corporate tech job at Adobe Systems. Following two transformative years of global exploration, she settled on Oahu, Hawai’i, where she started her organic catering business. Lando also curated memorable Farm-to-Chopstix events and served as a distinguished guest chef and speaker at prestigious gatherings such as Gerry Lopez & Kai Lenny retreats, Wanderlust festivals, Sea Shepherd, Vandana Shiva, and events hosted by the Berry Good Foundation, environmental non-nonprofits, and Real Simple.

However, her life took a profound turn when she closed her catering company to move back to San Diego to be with her mother, who was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and given only two months to live. This experience sparked her mission on food as medicine at a time when practically no one was discussing nutrition for health. Through her dedicated care and culinary expertise, she played a pivotal role in her mother's journey, extending her life from two months to two years.

Lando, the former owner of Enclave Café, food-as-medicine concept, made a significant transition by selling her restaurants to fully dedicate herself to Neu Mune Farmstead and FAMMá FARM. With over 12 years of experience as a food-as-medicine chef, she specializes in crafting nourishing meals tailored for individuals dealing with chronic illnesses, cancer, diabetes, gut issues, and professional athletes for optimal performance and new moms for postpartum recovery.

Beyond her culinary expertise, Lando offers her services as a captivating guest speaker. Her presentations, ranging from informative Lunch & Learns to engaging trade show appearances, inspire corporate teams to embrace holistic approaches to health and wellness. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of food with our planet and the human experience, Lando motivates teams to prioritize their well-being. This holistic perspective not only fosters individual vitality but also cultivates a workplace culture where inspired and energized employees are empowered to contribute more effectively, ultimately enhancing productivity and overall success.

Neu Mune Farmstead will serve as a sanctuary for preserving the ancestral knowledge still held by her father, ensuring that our cooking and food-growing traditions remain intact and do not fade away.

The above video is EVERYTHING to me.