BAMBUZA HOSPITALITY GROUP WINS!!

BAMBUZA HOSPITALITY GROUP WAS Named BEST ACDBE OPERATOR at the 2024 Airport Experience Awards. PHOTOS FROM THE GALA EVENT iN at AXC2024 IN TExas.

4.5.2024 | Airport Experience News

AXN Recognizes Industry’s Best At Annual Gala

A vibrant Awards Gala capped four days of programming at the 2024 Airport Experience Conference. The event attracted a broad range of airport directors and properties executives along with brand and concessionaire executives, designers, consultants and others.

The 2024 Airport Experience Awards recognized excellence in airport concessions throughout North America and named Bambuza Hospitality Group as BEST ACDBE OPERATOR for 2024! Click below for a full list of winners in each awards category.

3.5.2024 | Port of Seattle, portseattle.org

A Recipe for Success at SEA

This year, Bambuza opened its newest restaurant at SEA, Embarque Whiskey Grill in the N Concourse, joining Bambuza Hospitality Group restaurants Bambuza Vietnamese Kitchen in the N Concourse and Ninth and Pike on the C Concourse. Bambuza also operates retail stores New Stand, Seattle Made, and Swarovski in partnership with Stellar Partners in SEA. “We believe the journey begins at home or at the airport. When we developed the concept for Embarque, we wanted to create a memorable and pleasant experience,” Lam said. “I want people who visit Embarque to think back to that unique special cocktail or that comforting meal they had at SEA Airport, before their flight or during a layover.”

2.20.2024 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

Beloved Brand To Bring Vietnamese Food to Sacramento International Airport

Bambuza Hospitality Group, the ACDBE-certified travel retail and restaurant specialist, will bring its creative take on the classic flavors of Vietnam to Sacramento International Airport in 2024 and 2025. The management group has been awarded two locations, one in Concourse A and one in Concourse B, for their namesake restaurant concept, Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar. 

2.8.2024 | Sacramento County News Release

NEW DINING OPTIONS COMING TO SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Later this year travelers will start to notice the unveiling of new food and beverage options throughout the Sacramento International Airport (SMF)…Travelers will see local brands like Bawk!, Café Bernardo, Magpie, Midtown Spirits, Nixtaco and Temple Coffee. And regional small purveyors like West Coast Sourdough, Sidewalk Juice, and Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen + Bar will also have locations in both terminals.

2.7.2024 | Fox40, Sacramento County

13 new food and drink shops, including local brands, coming to Sacramento International Airport

“The Sacramento International Airport (SMF) will be getting 13 new food and beverage shops starting later this year…” [Including Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen], said Sacramento County Department of Airports Director Cindy Nichol. “Our new dining options will reflect the amazing culinary culture of Sacramento. And we hope this further enhances what makes SMF such a beloved airport.”

1.11.2024 | QSRmagazine.com

SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls Opens in John Wayne Airport Orange County in California

SAMBAZON opens their quality quick-service concept SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls to serve delicious Açaí bowls and smoothies to travelers passing through John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA). Opening their doors at SNA brings the company a sense of hometown pride as SAMBAZON was founded in Orange County in 2000, and continues to operate their corporate headquarters from San Clemente. SAMBAZON at SNA is operated by the ACDBE-certified Bambuza Hospitality Group.

1.10.2024 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls Arrives at John Wayne Airport Orange County

Bambuza Hospitality Group announces the launch of its new franchise location of SAMBAZON at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA. From President and CEO Katherine Lam: “Bambuza Hospitality Group believes in partnering with restaurant brands that focus on delicious food and integrity. Providing travelers on-the-go dining experiences that match our mission to serve nourishing meals is at our core. SAMBAZON Açaí bowls offer travelers that perfect, healthy, any time-of-day meal and we’re delighted to open the doors together [with SAMBAZON] at SNA.”

9.27.2023 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

Bambuza Hospitality Group Partners with Birch Community Services to Eliminate Waste and Feed Area Families

Bambuza Hospitality Group is pleased to announce a partnership with Birch Community Services to address the roots of hunger and economic hardship in our community of Portland, Oregon. Bambuza has already begun funneling fresh food, dry goods, masks and supplies to Birch for distribution to nearly 1,000 area families and 70 non-profit agencies as part of its goal to become a leader in waste management while helping to address the underlying causes behind homelessness and poverty in the communities where Bambuza Group concepts operate.

9.26.2023 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

Erin Frank joins Bambuza Hospitality Group as Director of Brand Growth and Communications

Bambuza Hospitality Group is pleased to welcome Erin Frank to the team as Director of Brand Growth and Communications. She brings over 18 years experience in marketing and communications for both the publishing and technology areas and specializes in storytelling for minority and women-owned small businesses. Frank joins the team after advancing the Bambuza Hospitality Group brand over the last five years as a consultant. 

6.30.2023 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf landing at Salt Lake City International Airport.

Portland, Oregon, June 30, 2023 - Bambuza Hospitality Group announced that it has been awarded a lease to expand Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Salt Lake City International Airport as part of the current expansion of Concourse B. These powerhouse offerings broaden the already stellar dining options available to travelers throughout the new airport facility, and will bring a unique and exciting culinary experience to guests from around the world.

 6.9.2023 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

Bambuza Hospitality Group Announces the Addition of Two Key Members to their team

PORTLAND, OREGON, June 9, 2023 — Bambuza Hospitality Group (BHG) is pleased to announce the addition of Jeremy Cook and Danny Huynh to the team leading the company’s expanding operations in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Jeremy Cook joins as Director of Operations, and Danny Huynh comes on board as the Assistant Director of Operations.

1.27.2023 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

BAMBUZA HOSPITALITY GROUP CELEBRATES OPENING OF BAMBUZA VIETNAM KITCHEN IN PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

PORTLAND, OREGON, January 27, 2023 – Bambuza Hospitality Group (BHG) today celebrated one year of serving travelers through Portland International Airport with a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony. The full-service bar and restaurant is located in the airport’s new Concourse E extension and serves up fresh, authentic Vietnamese cuisine including pho noodle soups, grill bowls, and bánh mì sandwiches. The event was covered live by KOIN-TV Portland’s “Kohr Explores,” where co-founders Katherine Lam and Daniel Nguyen highlighted the restaurant’s family-inspired recipes and unique Asian-inspired specialty cocktails as they gathered together to celebrate the new location. 

1.18.2023 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

BAMBUZA HOSPITALITY GROUP ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEWEST CONCEPT NINTH & PIKE ARTISAN KITCHEN AT SEATTLE-TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

PORTLAND, OREGON, January 18, 2023 – Bambuza Hospitality Group (BHG), the Portland, Oregon-based dining, retail, and specialty marketplace operator, announces the opening of its first location of bespoke restaurant concept Ninth & Pike Artisan Kitchen at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. BHG will celebrate with a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony as part of the airport’s Lunar New Year celebration at SEA. Ninth & Pike is the first of five locations Bambuza Hospitality Group plans to open in 2023, including the highly anticipated launch of Embarque Whiskey Grill in the North Satellite at SEA later this year. Katherine Lam, President and CEO of Bambuza Hospitality Group said, “Opportunities like these allow companies like Bambuza to shine, and demonstrate that we can develop and operate innovative, first-class food and beverage concepts as effectively as multinational prime operators.” 

12.9.2022 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

SCOTT BIRCH JOINS BAMBUZA HOSPITALITY GROUP AS SENIOR DIRECTOR OF Operations

Bambuza Hospitality Group announces the further strengthening of our leadership team with the recent appointment of Scott Birch as Senior Director of Operations. Scott brings to BHG years of restaurant operations management experience with brands like Paradies Lagardere and Vino Volo. “We are gearing up for significant expansion, adding new high-volume locations and exciting new concepts to the business,” said Katherine Lam, President and CEO of Bambuza Hospitality Group. “Scott was the perfect choice to help ensure our operations remain the most customer-focused in the industry. Scott brings the right combination of entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to consistency, and people focus that we so value at BHG.”

9.29.2022 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

BHG WELCOMES ERIK WARD AS NEW CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, PREPARES TO OPEN FIRST SAMBAZON IN AIRPORT

We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Erik Ward as Chief Development Officer to oversee expansion and partnerships, and further grow our airport and street-side portfolio across the country. This news comes alongside an announcement that BHG has been awarded a contract in John Wayne Airport to develop and operate the first airport Sambazon: the mission-driven concept from San Clemente, CA, bringing açaí-based superfood bowls, smoothies and drinks to health conscious consumers. “With the dynamic growth of our airport portfolio from PDX to SEA, and most recently to SNA, Bambuza is poised for further expansion,” said Katherine Lam, President of Bambuza Hospitality Group. “We knew we wanted someone with the right experience, relationships, and core values to lead these efforts, and Erik was the obvious choice.” 

5.16.2022 | National Restaurant Association

Bambuza Hospitality Group grows by giving back

“For us at Bambuza, we knew that adapting would be a Herculean challenge. To meet it, we turned to our company mission—to be of service to our communities. Many households were hurting at the height of the pandemic, and as children of refugees, we were especially motivated by our parents’ spirit to keep pushing forward. Extending our compassion ended up connecting us even more closely to our neighbors than before.“

11.26.2019 | Port of Portland News Release

Port of Portland Welcomes Two New Commissioners

On November 20, the Oregon Senate approved Gov. Kate Brown’s appointments of Katherine Lam and Meg Niemi to the Port of Portland Commission. Katherine Lam is president and co-owner of Bambuza Hospitality Group. “It's a great honor to serve the Port of Portland in this capacity,” said Lam. “Portland has an award-winning international airport with an exciting expansion ahead of it. I look forward to building on that momentum to create a prosperous future for the Port and our community.”

11.6.2019 | Pearl District Business Awards

Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen voted Minority-Owned Business of the Year by Pearl District Business Association

This September, the Pearl District Business Association (PDBA) opened nominations for its fifth annual Pearl District Business Awards to recognize individuals and businesses that are making a difference within Portland’s flourishing Pearl District. Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen was named Minority-Owned Business of the Year and honored at an awards luncheon on November 6, 2019.

10.10.2019 | Port of Seattle

Bambuza owners, Daniel Nguyen and Katherine Lam, talk about opening their new restaurant in Sea-Tac International Airport and what's next for them.

7.12.2019 | Bambuza Hospitality Group News Release

BAMBUZA WINS COVETED PDX AIRPORT LOCATION: Family-Owned Restaurant Group Awarded Opportunity in the Port’s Most Competitive RFP Ever

Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen (bambuza.com) was recently selected as the winner of one of five new restaurant locations at Portland International Airport. The small, family-run business — owned and operated by husband and wife team Katherine Lam and Daniel Nguyen — was chosen over several major national brands and chains to secure their second PDX airport location selling fresh, authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

3.25.2019 | Port of Seattle

Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen: Homegrown and Family-Inspired

The Port of Seattle is making steady progress on the expansion phase of the North Satellite Modernization Project (NSAT) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport! Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen opened today between the N18 and N19 gates.

5.1.2017 | Port of Portland

This #SmallBusinessWeek, get to know Katherine and Daniel Nguyen of Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen, one of many #smallbiz partners at Portland International Airport. We’re committed to increasing opportunities for Disadvantaged, Minority-owned, Women-owned, Service Disabled Veteran-owned and Emerging Small businesses, and providing an equal opportunity for access to all.

6.9.2015 | Portland Tribune

Hungry travelers get variety at PDX

… “We want to make an impact through food, share our culture, and give back to the community we’re in,” says Daniel, whose parents moved to the United States from Vietnam 40 years ago this year.

9.10.2014 | Eater, Portland OR

As promised, the culinary scene at Portland International Airport (PDX) is getting a major upgrade…