Sarah O’Connell | Founder
Raised in Ocala, Florida, with roots in Vermont, attending high school in Beijing, China, with a few other stops along the way, Sarah has found home in the Hudson Valley of New York. Starting in kitchens at 14, they spent their time in China building a grassroots vegan community through pop-ups, recipe and menu development for restaurants, and online forums. Since returning to the U.S, they have taken every opportunity to learn under whoever they can. Holding positions as a kitchen manager for Pig & a Jelly Jar and Wafu - along with working under Phelix Gardner at Pago. Through this journey, they found a passion for cheese while working at multiple cheese shops, mentored by Casey Beland, Gayle Martin, and Tonda Corrente. Now, working at Bivona’s Simply Pasta, building their cheese program, Sarah continues to be dedicated to connecting others through teaching, cooking, and feeding those around them.
Laowai Eats started as just an Instagram profile where Sarah uploaded what they were cooking/eating. Now, it has become a community of “foreigners,” learning from one another.
Laowai | 老外
The Mandarin word for foreigner or outsider.
Matan broshi |
resident chef
Growing up, Matan’s mom regularly cooked big dinners for guests. Watching her prepare the food and seeing how people reacted to it made a strong impression on him. That’s what inspired him to start cooking and to always see food as a social experience to connect with others, with every step intentional from start to finish. From friends coming over for dinner to pop-up events, it’s the same across the board – ultimately, trying to get people to come out of the house and feel as if they’re now home.
We connected with Matan a little over a year ago as he did a sandwich pop-up at Big Mouth Coffee Roasters, and we first collaborated. He is now studying in Hungary, and we are happy to have him on our team as a guest chef (though he prefers the title of cook) whenever he is in town. Blending his passion for food into every bite with an appreciation for a vast range, you’ll find he has no limits and always has a good time.