Hien DangAmid the hustle and bustle of urban life – beneath the towering buildings and the hurried breath of the modern world – we begin to realise what truly makes a house a home. It’s not square footage. Nor is it lavish amenities. Rather, it’s how a space is imbued with spirit – through emotion, aesthetics, and the full presence of love.
On the afternoon of 27 June 2025, NỮ DOANH NHÂN – BusinessWoman Magazine and Step in Style successfully hosted the workshop A Taste of Home, with the kind support of partners including HTM Homes, FRANKE, Lynk & Co, Bonne Maman, TRI Pollar, BH Med, Ema Roma Food and Amor Fati. The event offered a gentle invitation to return – to quietly revisit the kitchen, often the silent yet irreplaceable heart of every home.
Perhaps it was no coincidence that A Taste of Home took place in the final days of June – just before Vietnamese Family Day (28 June) – a time when many reflect on their roots: the home, loved ones and the familiar warmth of the kitchen.
A Moment That Touched on Fulfilment
In the elegant setting of Lynk & Co Saigon, the programme unfolded like a gentle rendezvous – where guests were invited to slow down and reconnect with themselves and the quiet spiritual values so easily forgotten: the scent of freshly baked pastries, the warm glow of a dining table lamp, or a cosy kitchen corner that stays inviting even in stormy weather.
When the kitchen is no longer simply a place for cooking, but a vessel of memory, emotional connection, and a source of bonding – then ‘home’ ceases to be just a physical space and becomes a flowing, emotional current.
Stories from Those with an Eye for Soulful Living
The workshop opened with an intimate mini talk featuring three guest speakers – each bringing their own perspective and lived experience, yet united in a shared belief: the kitchen is the emotional centre of the home.
With a thoughtful introduction by host Thái Minh Châu – CEO of Bột Creative Hub – the conversation unfolded as a poetic reunion, a gentle space for those who live life slowly to reflect on their kitchens not merely as functional corners, but as places of listening and connection: “The kitchen is where we feel with all our senses – the gentle waft of aroma in the air, the texture of familiar utensils, the gaze following a dish as it takes shape. And above all, it’s where our loved ones come together at the end of a long, hectic day”.
This led naturally into a heartfelt exchange of personal reflections. Entrepreneur Lê Anh Thơ shared candidly: “I don’t often step into the kitchen, as work keeps me busy. But I always cherish those moments when the whole family gathers around a meal. That’s when we truly connect and that’s also when I remind myself to let go of the temptations outside: parties, sports, or meet-ups with friends”.
For Minh Nguyễn – Founder & CEO of Minh Nguyễn Design – the kitchen is far more than a place to install appliances; it is layered with emotional meaning: “In the past, people focused on the living room – the space for entertaining guests. But now, our approach to living is shifting. We’re turning inward – especially towards the kitchen. It’s no longer a separate corner, but a natural extension of the home’s landscape – where the cook stands at the centre of the household”.
Chef Joanna Loan Lê added a uniquely personal note, sharing how the kitchen became a part of her own coming-of-age while studying in Italy: “Living abroad, I had to learn to use completely unfamiliar tools and equipment. But what touched me most were those moments when I was feeling down and friends would cook the dish I loved. That’s when I realised: if the cook isn’t truly emotionally present, even the most perfect recipe won’t make a dish whole”.
These stories built a tender emotional crescendo – the kitchen emerging as a space of love, memory, and healing. A place that feels ‘complete’, not because of its luxury, but because it holds someone to return to.
A Feast for the Senses
Following the conversation, the event warmed even further with a cosy live cooking show, where Chef Joanna Loan Le demonstrated how to create a delicate Danish pastry. More than just a baking tutorial, it was a moment of shared presence where attendees reconnected with the kitchen as a deeply human space, filled with familiar warmth and quiet joy.
In that moment, the kitchen no longer belonged to one person – it belonged to everyone. To gentle memories. To shared happiness. To the feeling of ‘coming home’.
Connection and Continuity
The afternoon concluded with a light-hearted lucky draw, featuring prizes worth over 40 million VND – adding an element of joyful surprise to a meaningful day of slowing down and reconnecting.
When the Kitchen Becomes the Heart
A Taste of Home was never just a baking workshop. It was an invitation – to return to where the kitchen is the emotional heart, where simplicity is treasured, and where fulfilment doesn’t come from possessions, but from the way we tend to life’s smallest details.
The kitchen may not be perfect – but it is always enough, when love is placed in the simplest of things.
PARTNERS IN ALIGNMENT
Workshop A Taste of Home would not have been complete without the support of partners who shared the same values and vision to spread positivity. NỮ DOANH NHÂN – BusinessWoman Magazine and Step in Style extend heartfelt thanks to: HTM Homes & FRANKE, Lynk & Co, Bonne Maman, TRI Pollar, TRI Pollar, Ema Roma.
EVENT INFORMATION
- Date: 27/06/2025
- Venue: Lynk & Co Saigon, 220 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, TPHCM
- Organised by: BusinessWoman Magazine & Step in Style
ABOUT BUSINESSWOMAN MAGAZINE
Launched in November 2008, BusinessWoman Magazine is Vietnam’s first print publication dedicated to successful women entrepreneurs. Published quarterly, it explores themes of personal growth, lifestyle, and leadership. The magazine also hosts talkshows, forums, and workshops aimed at connecting and empowering female leaders.
Website: https://nudoanhnhan.net
ABOUT STEP IN STYLE
STEP IN STYLE is a lifestyle platform focused on fashion, beauty, personal branding, and community values. It also organises leading events, talkshows, and forums for professionals and creatives across industries.
Website: https://stepinstyle.vn
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