Congratulations to MamMam by KOTO on a new chapter

Recently, the VietHarvest team had the opportunity to join A New Chapter Together at Mâm Mâm by KOTO, alongside around 50 invited guests, friends, partners and supporters gathered to celebrate a new milestone for KOTO.

It was a memorable evening not only because of the food, but because of the personal stories shared around the table: stories of change, starting again and finding a larger sense of purpose along the way.

New chapters, different journeys

Jimmy Pham, Founder of KOTO and Co-Founder of VietHarvest, reflected on KOTO’s journey through periods of significant change and hardship, particularly during COVID. KOTO has had to adapt and evolve, while holding closely to one belief at the heart of its work: the power of education and opportunity for young people.

Hao Tran, widely known through Vietcetera, spoke about turning points in his own journey and what it means to begin another chapter following significant changes in work and life.

Cat-Thao Nguyen, Founder of Earth Water Farms and a long-time friend and supporter of VietHarvest, shared a very different journey. From lawyer, she became a life coach, before choosing another new direction as a farmer. Today, she is focused on growing rice without chemicals and developing a closer relationship with the land, our food and the way what we eat is produced.

When education opens up a bigger world

One of the evening’s simplest and most memorable reflections came from a KOTO alumnus.

Asked what KOTO had given him, he spoke about three things: humility, responsibility and sharing.

For him, education helped open a world beyond the “closed box” he once knew. It allowed him to imagine possibilities that had previously felt out of reach. Today, one of those possibilities is the dream of opening a restaurant of his own one day.

When food means more than a meal

The journeys shared during the evening were very different, but they came together around one common idea: food can carry value far beyond the meal itself.

It is an idea that resonates strongly with VietHarvest.

VietHarvest began with a simple belief: quality surplus food should not end its journey in waste.

Food may have completed its role in a hotel, restaurant or business, but that does not mean its value has disappeared. When rescued safely, treated with care and redirected to where it is needed, it can continue its journey: becoming meals, nourishing communities and connecting people who have something to share with people who can benefit from it.

For KOTO, food and hospitality create a platform for young people to learn, grow and access new opportunities.

For VietHarvest, food provides a starting point for reducing waste, nourishing communities and building meaningful connections.

The models are different, but they share a similar mindset: the value of food reaches far beyond what is served on the plate.

A special evening for VietHarvest

A New Chapter Together was particularly meaningful for VietHarvest because it also brought us together with people who have supported our own journey in many different ways over the years, from our Co-Founder Jimmy Pham, to Cat Thao and other long-time friends, supporters and partners.

For us, the evening was therefore more than an opportunity to celebrate KOTO’s next chapter. It was also a reminder of what can happen when we see food not simply as a product, but as an opportunity to educate, share, connect and create impact.

Congratulations to KOTO and Mâm Mâm by KOTO on this new chapter. We hope it continues to be a table where food, education, opportunity and community come together. 💛