If you’ve ever visited our Beaverton restaurant, chances are you’ve been greeted warmly by our Assistant Manager Nam Kaewborworn. A veteran Server, Hostess, and Assistant Manager, she joined the Thai Bloom! family when we opened our doors for business. As she has become so dear to many of our regular guests, we thought you’d like to know a little bit about her.
Nam was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. She lived with her parents and younger brother amidst a cluster of homes that her grandparents built to house their children and grandchildren. With no fences separating the back yards, all of the cousins grew up together as if they were one big family. Regular gatherings at Grandma’s house kept everyone in close connection – a bond that remains strong to this day.
College years provided the opportunity for Nam to live and work abroad. She joined her Uncle’s staff as a Server at his Thai restaurant in Australia.
Nam traveled to Portland after college to attend graduate school. After receiving her Master’s degree in marketing from City University of Seattle, she decided to try her hand in real estate. It was a difficult market at the time, prompting Nam to consider other options.
As one who loves Thai food, Nam sampled the food at many establishments throughout the Greater Portland Area. She was particularly impressed by the cuisine, presentation, and atmosphere at the Typhoon! restaurant in downtown Portland. She applied for a position and worked there for several years as a Server and Assistant Manager. While saddened by the closing of that business, she was delighted to join her colleagues at Thai Bloom! a short year later.
When asked what she enjoys about Thai Bloom!, the food remains a stand-out. She says the Thai Bloom! chefs are very creative in that they take traditional Thai food and “fusion it” with a taste of the Pacific Northwest. While all of the dishes still have a distinctive Thai flavor, they find a fresh expression on the Thai Bloom! menu.
Nam also appreciates the sense of family that she experiences at the restaurant. “I love the diversity of the staff. We come from different places and walks of life, yet we all work together harmoniously,” she says. “It is a wonderful place to work.”
Among the things Nam values about her employers is the flexibility they give her to pursue her passion – Latin competitive ballroom dancing. In addition to extensive training, she takes trips regularly from San Francisco to Miami to compete. And, of course, she also takes time every year to visit family in Thailand and travel the countryside.
