Biography

Tracey Lister
Australia
Koto
Hardie Grant Books
October 2008
 

Chef Tracey Lister knows how to shop, cook and eat in Vietnam. After 15 years in the Melbourne restaurant scene, Tracey took a two-year sabbatical in Hanoi and was determined to put her extensive hospitality experience to good use. Her opportunity came in the form of KOTO, a grass-roots charity that helps street kids free themselves from the poverty cycle through vocational training. As the project’s first chef/trainer, Tracey’s contribution to the KOTO training project was to transform disadvantaged young people into sought-after hospitality professionals.

Tracey’s time at KOTO allowed her to develop a deep appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine. Through research and professional relationships, Tracey has continued to explore the place of food in Vietnamese history and culture, from street stalls and market shopping to age-old family recipes and fine restaurants.

www.streetvoices.com.au
Andreas Pohl
Vietnam/Australia
Koto
Hardie Grant Books
October 2008
 

After dabbling in journalism, German-born Andreas Pohl migrated to Australia and fell into a career in international education. He visited Vietnam for the first time in 1994 and numerous trips later made a career move to Hanoi for two years. Andreas has explored Vietnam by plane, train and automobile, as well as motorbike and the odd boat – getting to know the culture and the people of this wonderfully diverse country, from the hill tribes in the remote Northern highlands to the urbanites in Saigon and the river dwellers in the Mekong Delta.

During his time in Vietnam, Andreas became involved with KOTO, regularly assisting Project Director Jimmy Pham in sampling the lemon tarts produced by the trainees, as well as putting together submissions and project reports. Andreas is currently based in Melbourne, but visits Vietnam at least once a year and continues to support KOTO through its Australian charity, KOTO International.

www.streetvoices.com.au

Search