Showcasing Khmers in the Creative Arts Industry.

Recognizing Inspiring Organizations and Aspiring Individuals.

Linda Thach – Owner of Little Skips Cafe

Linda Thach

Happy food and drink = Happy stomach is what this felicitous cafe is all about. Little Skips welcomes you to visit this quaint cafe located in Brooklyn, NY where you can find a lovely little selection of coffee, pastries, salads and sandwiches.

“I love food. I love being in the restaurant business. It’s crazy and there is a certain type of person who can love this business. I like late hours. I think I’m an eternal hostess too. I like giving dinner parties so this is great for me to be able to do this for a living. I like serving people and have always been a waitress even when I had other ‘real’ jobs to support me. I waitress-ed for the fun of it. I like meeting people. I like the change of pace. Now I like being a boss. I want to treat people fairly and ultimately teach people. I think this is my calling for now but there is so much more to me than just being an entrepreneur and cafe owner. I do it because I want a better life for myself and my family. I want to be successful and work hard now so I can take care of my family in the future. I have a lot of family left in Cambodia and one day plan to move there and open a little cafe along the river in Phnom Penh, where I was born.” – Linda Thach

Are you a 100% Cambodian?

Linda: Yes. Both mom and dad are Cambodian

When did you come to the states?

Linda: I was born in Phnom Penh and came to the states in 1983.

Where do you reside?

Linda: Brooklyn, New York

What inspires you?

Linda: Life and people inspire me. Food and traveling is a major inspiration for me.

At what age or when did you know you that you cooking were your passion?

Linda: I’ve always grew up cooking with my mom. She taught me most of the Cambodian dishes I cook today. I taught her American dishes. I like watching other people cook and asking them questions. When I go to friend’s houses I’m always fascinated by the different food people know how to make because most of it stems from family background.

When did you open your cafe?

Linda: We officially opened in Feb. 21, 2010.

Where did you get the name Little Skips?

Linda: Little Skips was a name I made up to describe my group of close friends here in Brooklyn. I liked it a lot and think it’s perfect for the name of my cafe since my friends were a big help starting off when I first decided to pursue opening a cafe. They were my support and so I dedicate my cafe to them in a way.

What type of food do you serve?

Linda: Right now it’s very minimal food since we focus on our coffee and being a respectable coffee shop. I originally wanted to do a full-service restaurant, which is still a goal of mine, but at this location it would have been too expensive to install a kitchen so I opted for a simple cafe instead serving sandwiches, pastries and bagels. Our coffee is what makes us amazing. I have wonderful baristas working for me and they take their cappuccinos seriously which is great. We are taking one step at a time. It’s not easy opening a food service establishment and probably one of the hardest businesses to get into but I love it and will hope to add more food and beer and wine to the menu soon. I really want to make Banh Mi sandwiches and summer rolls in the style my mom made them. I’d also like to add some traditional Asian drinks to the menu soon too like Vietnamese coffee and Thai tea.

What is your favorite Khmer dish?

Linda: I love Moo Naam (spring rolls) and Khatheu (if I spelled that right) and Noompachouk (Khmer rice noodles with lemongrass fish soup). Actually I love so many Khmer foods. All I do is eat when I’m home since I don’t get to cook Khmer food much here in Brooklyn living with American roommates.

What advice would you give to others who are looking to get into the same profession?

Linda: Do it for the passion. Money will come. Be ready to grow as a person and learn as much about your line of business as you can before starting. I learned the hard way but I’m happy to say that I am so much smarter and wiser now than when I first started.

For more about Linda Thach’s cafe:

Check out Little Skip’s Website
Like Little Skips on Facebook
Follow Little Skips on Twitter
Connect with Little Skips on Google+

Linda Thach - Little Skips Cafe

Originally Posted by Sophia S.

Click here for a Little Skips Cafe video review

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