In late October 2025, Aiii House Saigon hosted FUNKY BRUNCHY, a collaborative weekend co-created by Chef Alain Pham and Chef Anaïs Ca Dao van Manen, representing the culinary vision of Yeshi Taiwanese Kitchen in Ho Chi Minh City. The event brought together two young chefs with distinct yet complementary perspectives – one grounded in fine-dining technique and Vietnamese memory, the other shaped by multicultural influences and a contemporary Asian sensibility.

Anaïs Ca Dao van Manen is a chef and consultant whose career spans Paris, London and Bogotá. She is also the author of Vietnam: The Cookbook, published by Phaidon, a comprehensive collection of more than 400 Vietnamese recipes. In Vietnam, she contributes to the culinary direction of Yeshi Vietnamese & Taiwanese Kitchen, known for its casual, vibrant and modern take on Asian flavours.

For FUNKY BRUNCHY, Alain and Anaïs developed an Asian-inspired à la carte menu, reimagining familiar flavours through modern techniques and shared creativity. Each dish emerged from an open exchange between the two chefs – blending precision and emotion with freedom, spontaneity and street-food influence.

Held on October 25 & 26 2025, the event welcomed a lively gathering of Aiii House Saigon guests. FUNKY BRUNCHY stands as a meaningful moment of connection between two evolving culinary journeys in Saigon – a celebration of collaboration, respect and contemporary cooking.