Chef
Soulayphet Schwader
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- New York City, New York, United States
- Venue
- Khe-Yo · Restaurant
i. Biography
Soulayphet Schwader runs Khe-Yo in New York City, where Laotian cooking is built around the practical pleasures of eating with the hands. The restaurant’s language stays close to traditional flavors, but the execution is sharpened by local ingredients and a clear, disciplined hand. That balance gives the menu a direct read at the table while still carrying enough texture and layering to keep it moving dish to dish.
Coming Up
Training at New Orlean Culinary Institute in Vermont gave Soulayphet Schwader a formal entry into the trade, followed by a first kitchen job as cook at restaurant brewery. That early work established the basics that matter in any line: heat control, timing, repetition, and the confidence that comes from service. The later move into executive chef of Restaurant Marc Forgione and chef/owner of Khe-Yo shows a career that developed through responsibility, not theory, with each role adding definition to the last.
Where They Are Now
At Khe-Yo, Chili Prawns {Goong-Phet} Ginger Scallion Toast acts as a clear marker of the kitchen’s style: bold flavor, strong contrast, and a format meant for shared eating. Crunchy Coconut Rice {Nam-Khao} Spicy Lime Leaf Sausage & Baby Iceberg, the first menu item, set that register from the start, establishing a house line built on texture and brightness. Taken together, the dishes show a kitchen working from recognizable Lao flavor while keeping the plate active, social, and structured.
Signature
Chili Prawns {Goong-Phet} Ginger Scallion Toast and Hoisin Glazed Hanger Steak define Soulayphet Schwader’s table in two different registers. One carries the heat and fragrance tied to Laotian cooking; the other brings a deeper, meat-centered richness. At Khe-Yo, that range helps set the restaurant’s pace: food with structure, flavor, and enough familiarity to invite repetition without flattening the line.
Honors
No award has been cited for Soulayphet Schwader.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Soulayphet
What is Soulayphet Schwader's current role?
As of 2026, Soulayphet Schwader is Chef/Owner.
Where did Soulayphet Schwader train or study?
Soulayphet Schwader trained at New Orlean Culinary Institute in Vermont.
What is Soulayphet Schwader known for?
Laotian cuisine.
