On the corner of Bayard and Baxter, in the heart of New York’s Chinatown, is a fantastic little spot called Lalito, helmed by Kia Damon, who last fall, at the age of 24, rose up to become its head chef. Since then, the native Floridian has pushed up her sleeves and set to the difficult task of reforming the eatery’s kitchen, while at the same time becoming a rising star on the city’s ever-shifting culinary scene. Which means that on any given day, Damon may be plating fragrant mounds of coconut rice on the line or juggling a slew of media requests like this one.
September 30, 2019
