If you’re in the fashion industry and you work in Paris, then you know Rose Chalalai Singh — or, rather, you know her cooking. The Bangkok native is the chef and owner of Ya Lamaï, a Thai eatery, and Rose Kitchen, which does catering and private events — both a frequent destination for designers, such as Haider Ackermann and Riccardo Tisci, as well as the gallery set. Her biggest culinary fan, however? That would probably be her son, Gabriel, who is growing up to be a whiz in the kitchen himself, too. Here, we chat with Chalalai Singh about how to encourage a love of cooking in children — plus, what Mother’s Day is like back home in Thailand.

Our Mother’s Day traditions…
Since I moved to Paris, we’ve never really had a Mother’s Day because, in Thailand, it’s on August 12th and, in France, it’s another date — both different than in America. But this year, we’re making it special. Since doing this shoot, my son Gabriel’s been talking about celebrating Mother’s Day on May 27th (the French date). He said he will give me 100 euros! Hahaha. Then he saw how excited I was so he changed his mind and is going to make me a painting instead.

Our plans will include…
A wonderful dinner at Rose Kitchen featuring our favorite meal: lemongrass soup with coconut milk and chicken with rice. And if the weather is nice, I will ask my son to take me out for a nice walk… to test, also, how well he knows Paris.

Favorite Mother’s Day traditions growing up…
My mother left when I was seven years old, so we never really had a Mother’s Day. But in Thailand, the 12th of August is also the Queen’s birthday, so there are celebrations everywhere and the schools are closed. We would enjoy food festivals and, at night, go by the river to look at fireworks.

Best Mother’s Day gift I’ve received…
Three years ago, when Gabriel was five, he made me necklaces out of a newspaper, handcrafted and with beautiful drawings in red, and some beads. Totally hippie! I still have them.

Best advice I received from my mother…
To always love your brother and sisters.

One lesson I hope to pass on to my son…
To anyways love everything and everyone, and appreciate food.

Favorite meal to cook with my son…
Breakfast during holidays in Majorca. Because we make it a competition and my son would make his best. He even decorates the plate with beautiful colors, like putting a whole banana next to an omelet!

My tips to inspire a love of cooking in children…
The mother of one of Gabriel’s friends at school once asked me how I could let a kid cook with fire at eight years old. I told her that I started cooking when I was seven. I had no choice — my mother left and, also, most kids in Thailand do that. It’s very common. I told her that it’s very simple. Just teach the kids how to cook and turn on the fire. Then watch them closely, and be very patient. Little by little, each day. They’ll be able to make you a good meal. It’s a good way to connect with your children. Food is life, and it’s a wonderful experience to share with your kids.

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