Cooking Class: Make the Crispiest Vietnamese Bánh Mì with Chef Mimi Lan

Bánh Mì Cookign Class with Chef Mimi Lan and Chef Maricel

What makes Bánh Mì so unforgettable? Crispy pork belly. Tangy pickles. Slow-cooked lemongrass chicken. Savory sauces. Crunchy bread. This is not just a sandwich—it’s a flavor explosion.

✨ What you’ll make:
✔️ Crispy-skin pork belly (seriously, shatteringly crisp)
✔️ Slow-cooked lemongrass chicken
✔️ Pickled daikon & carrots
✔️ Special bánh mì butter-soy sauce
✔️ A sandwich masterpiece, customized by you

🎁 Bonus: You’ll take home Chef Mimi’s secret pork belly skin-poking tool + full recipes + a sourcing guide!

👩‍🍳 Limited spots. Perfect for foodies, date night, or an unforgettable early Father’s Day gift.

In this special hands-on cooking class, Michelin-trained Chef Mimi Lan joins forces with Chef Maricel to guide you through the step-by-step process of creating the perfect bánh mì, with all the essential components needed for an authentic Vietnamese sandwich—from crisp, juicy pork belly to tangy pickles and rich, savory sauces. No experience needed — just come hungry and ready to cook!

This class is for all skill levels—you don’t need to be an expert to join. Chef Mimi and Chef Maricel are your guides and make it easy to learn, and this is your chance to cook alongside a Michelin-trained chef.

This is more than just a recipe. It is a joyful culinary experience that blends culture, history, and flavor into one unforgettable sandwich.

🥖 What You’ll Learn You’ll make and taste each component of a classic bánh mì sandwich, discovering techniques you can use far beyond this class.

✨ Crispy Skin Pork Belly A fool-proof method for achieving shatteringly crisp skin and melt-in-your-mouth tender meat. This dish is not just for bánh mì—it is a meal-worthy showstopper you will make again and again for rice bowls, noodle dishes, steamed bao, and more.

✨ Slow cooked lemongrass shredded chicken, so it has hours to absorb all those natural spices and flavors.

✨ Bánh Mì Sauce A bold, flavor-packed spread that combines butter aioli with a special soy sauce to tie the whole sandwich together.

✨ Vietnamese Pickled Daikon & Carrots Sweet, tangy, and crisp—these pickles add the essential bright contrast that balances the richness of the meats.

✨ Take-Home Gift: You will receive a pork belly skin poking tool with fine needles—a secret of Chef Mimi’s for making the skin ultra-crispy—plus step-by-step recipes and an ingredient resource guide.

🍴 The Grand Finale You’ll assemble your own customized bánh mì sandwich, layering flavor, texture, and tradition into a creation that is truly your own.

🎟️ Spots Are Limited — Reserve Yours Today!

Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned cook, this class will deepen your love for Vietnamese cuisine and leave you inspired. Come hungry, leave confident.

If you are redeeming a gift certificate, please call or text us at 732-497-2698 to reserve your place. You can also email us at info@maricelskitchen.com

Chef Mimi Lan: Your Guide to Bold, Culturally-Rich, Unforgettable Food

Chef Mimi Lan believes food is more than a meal—it’s a memory, a connection, and a bridge between cultures. As a Michelin-trained chef, global culinary consultant, and founder of Taste Curator, Mimi empowers home cooks, chefs, private clients, and event guests to explore the joy of cooking with confidence, curiosity, and heart.

Born in Vietnam and raised in the U.S., Mimi grew up surrounded by the smells, sounds, and soul of two culinary worlds. Her passion for honoring her heritage while embracing the flavors of the world has led her to train in some of the most celebrated kitchens across the globe—from Per Se in New York to Gaggan in Bangkok, as well as private lessons and kitchen tours in Rome, Paris, and Hong Kong. This rare blend of cultural fluency and technical excellence is what sets her apart—and what makes her an extraordinary guide for anyone looking to grow in the kitchen.

Today, Chef Mimi helps others cook with heart and fearlessness. Through her signature pop-up dinners, private chef experiences, and hands-on classes, she brings global flavors to life in ways that feel personal, inspiring, and deeply memorable. Her teaching style is approachable yet elevated—whether she’s walking you through the secrets of crispy pork belly or showing you how to balance the five essential flavors in Vietnamese cuisine.

Mimi is also a proud culinary ambassador and advocate. She contributes to projects like the Cooks Who Care Community Cookbook, where she shares recipes that nourish both body and soul, and she serves as an ambassador for @MAPPimpact and contributor for @WorldofMouthapp. Her work has earned her recognition on Edible Northeast Florida’s Women in Food & Drink: The All-Star List 2024.

Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help others fall in love with cooking while celebrating the cultural stories behind every dish. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating restaurant-worthy meals at home—or just want to experience the joy of sharing beautiful food—Chef Mimi Lan is ready to guide you, one flavor-packed dish at a time.  For more information or to book an experience with Chef Mimi Lan, visit Taste Curator..

Hands on Cooking made Fun and Easy!

Discover the Joy of Cooking with Maricel's Classes – Fun, Easy, and Interactive!

Duration & Format: Dive into 2.5 hours of engaging, hands-on cooking. Perfect for any experience level, from beginners to seasoned chefs.

Interactive Learning: Experience the excitement of learning and applying new flavors and techniques. Our classes are fully interactive, ensuring you're both learning and doing.

Enjoy Your Creations: After cooking, take a seat and relish the meals you've crafted. It's a rewarding opportunity to taste your own creations.

Refreshments Included: Soft drinks are on us! Feel free to BYOB if you like..

Dietary Accommodations: Have specific dietary needs? Let us know in advance. We're here to make sure your cooking experience meets your personal requirements.

Join us at Maricel's Classes for an easy, enjoyable cooking journey. Cooking is made simple and delightful for everyone!

Grateful for 5-Star Reviews: Cooking, Friendship, and Gratitude

Chef's Tables, Catering, Cooking Classes, Team Building, and Speciality Events

Maricel's Kitchen is New Jersey's premier culinary experience destination and can cater to all your culinary needs and is a unique culinary venue in New Jersey.

Elevate Your Special Occasions: Planning a wedding, corporate team building, intamate affair, group outing, or a special celebration? Let Maricel’s Kitchen elevate your event, promising an unforgettable culinary experience.

Our Chef's Table events offers an intimate and exclusive culinary experience; click here to check the upcoming schedule.

Our diverse cooking classes include Filipino, Thai, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Vegetarian, Keto, Gluten Free, Baking, and more. Click here for schedule.

Culinary Innovation and Tradition: Maricel's passion for cooking shines through every dish served and taught. Her expertise ensures that each meal is not just prepared, but is crafted with the utmost care, celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures and tastes.

Book Your Event Today: Contact Maricel’s Kitchen at (732) 497-2698 to discuss how we can make your next event spectacular with our top-tier culinary offerings.

Let Maricel's Kitchen be the heart and soul of your next event, where tradition meets culinary innovation—right here in New Jersey.

🍴💨 Don't miss out - classes fill up fast 🎟️Book Your Tickets Now! 🚀

Meet Chef Maricel

Your Guide to Confident, Joyful Asian Cooking

You want to cook authentic Asian dishes that bring people together—but figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. That’s where Chef Maricel comes in.

You may have seen her on the Food Network, PBS, or Hulu, where she brings her passion for food and vibrant personality to life. But whether she’s on screen or in person, Maricel’s mission is the same:

to make Asian cooking simple, joyful, and absolutely delicious.

Her journey began in her grandmother’s kitchen in the Philippines, where she learned that food is love. Decades later, after traveling the world and working in some of New York’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels, she founded Maricel’s Kitchen—a culinary experience destination where tradition meets creativity.

As a Chef Ambassador for K-Seafood and the author of Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook, Maricel helps home cooks like you confidently create Filipino, Cantonese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean dishes—no matter your skill level.

🎟️ When you join Chef Maricel’s classes or buy her book, you’re not just learning recipes—you’re gaining a guide, a cheerleader, and a new love for cooking.

👉 Let’s cook something unforgettable.

Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook: A Journey Through Filipino, Cantonese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean Recipes for Every Day

Bring the Flavors of Asia into Your Kitchen

You want to cook Asian dishes at home—authentic, delicious, and doable. But most recipes online feel too complicated, or worse, inauthentic.

That’s why Chef Maricel Gentile created Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook—to be your guide.

In this beautifully photographed, easy-to-follow cookbook, Maricel brings you everyday recipes from Filipino, Cantonese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean cuisines. Inspired by her journey from her Lola’s kitchen in Manila to running her own award-winning kitchen in New Jersey, every recipe is packed with heart, heritage, and flavor.

✅ Step-by-step recipes with accessible ingredients
✅ Tips from Maricel’s professional experience and family traditions
✅ Cook with confidence and bring joy to your table

📖 Ready to start your journey?
👉 Click here order your copy today.

Let’s cook something beautiful together.