After two years, a newsletter and an announcement!
New logo! Upcoming address! Sticking to my promises of not emailing too much!
Howdy, it’s been awhile… and a lot has happened in the past two years.
If you’ve been on Instagram with me, you’ve seen a lot of the goings on - but this little tent operation has taken me to heights (and altitudes) I’ve never expected. Now with a regular stint on Milk Street and a spice line with the good folks of Spicewalla are available for y’all nationwide, and internationally if you know who to ask.
That’s not why you’re reading this, though. I know. I’ve been teasing for weeks now that I’m going to reveal the location of a long awaited brick and mortar location coming to Lexington after 7 years of dodging the wrong situations. My friend (and tireless realtor) Jamie Smith finally found the right fit for me, and a situation I couldn’t refuse, with The Venue on Malabu Drive, and sorted me out with the landlord group and local reps at NAI Isaac over an 8 month span to make this space into a reality.
Our new address will be 124 Malabu Drive, Suite 110.
We’ve saged, cleansed and purged any of the negative juju present out the doors, and are now in the process of building a kitchen and counter service restaurant we are going to be very proud of. In time we will be seeking out kitchen management and line cooks, but we are still a few months away from that. Right now we are still in that whole build out and equipment phase. If you can help out with any of that? Get in touch and let us know. We will take all the love we can get… we are doing this thing ourselves like the tent before and the projects since, and we want to create a great place to work, eat and hang out.
And that means, it’s the new home of Tuk Tuk Snack Shop.
SO! Now you know where we will be come end of summer/early fall, and I promise there are many more surprises on the way in that regard.
Here are a few more updates:
In January I was announced as a semi-finalist for Best Chef: Southeast by the James Beard Foundation. I cannot put into words how shocked and honored I’ve been by this nomination alone, and to be alongside so many accomplished peers has been a treat and a privilege. I’m especially excited to see fellow Kentucky chef Isaiah Screetch of Spark Community Cafe of Versailles on that list. Finalists are announced *tomorrow,* but I’m planning to be somewhere remote to charge up before a very busy spring season.
Team Tuk Tuk finally grew a bit in February as we’ve added PR Maven and longtime supporter and friend Collis Hillebrand (of Sprouthouse Communications) to the team. We’ve also added an admin and air traffic controller, Nina, who can handle everything from sorting out schedules to managing my brain. They join ongoing strategist and longtime friend Nuwan and my partner Chris in wrangling the force of nature that is the pop up.
We’ve had triumphant, sold out events coast to coast this year thus far (Charleston, LA, Portland Maine, NYC). If your spot wants to host a Tuk Tuk Pop Up or event, get in touch! Those will continue on as the restaurant gets going.
Upcoming:
Los Angeles - April 26, the 1 Hotel, West Hollywood. Details to come.
Taste of the Derby - the culinary kickoff to Kentucky Derby weekend festivities, with a load of accomplished and amazing chefs!
Charleston - FAB Conference - June 11-13. Beyond honored to be a part of the programming this year.
So! A few things for your radar, and more fun news to come. Hopefully by the end of the summer you’ll be able to visit the Tuk Tuk Snack Shop on Malabu, but until then, keep up via social media channels or just reaching out!
As always, thank y’all from the bottom of my heart for your support and kindnesses as this little business has grown into a contender on a national scene. Beyond my wildest expectations, and both my family and I are continually grateful.
More soon, or at least sooner than two years from now.
xo,sam
Congratulations! I cannot wait for the opening night.
WOOOHOOOOO! So proud of you! I can't WAIT to check out the new restaurant! SNAAAAACKS!