Meet our Founders
Thi Nguyen
Bartender @ Moon Rabbit
Nalee Kim
Director of Operation @ TyHand Group
Thi Nguyen slid into Nalee Kim's DMs and shared a statistic about AAPI bartenders in the U.S. They both quickly agreed that they should find a way to showcase the skills of these talented bartenders. In just two days, they contacted local AAPI-owned, -operated, and -employed establishments, as well as ally bars, who responded to their idea. Their aim was to create a weeklong celebration that highlights the significant influence of AAPI bartenders, Asian spirits, and Asian ingredients. Together, they set out on a mission to amplify talented individuals and AAPI’s contributions to the industry.
Nalee Kim (she/her/hers) is the Director of Operations of TyHand Group, overseeing the back of the house and front of the house at Sparrow Room, Bun'd Up, and Rice Crook. In addition to her work in the hospitality industry, Nalee has been active in the art community since 2016, working with No Kings Collective on various activations such as Congruent, Red Eye Night Market, and Umbrella as a project manager. Nalee is a strong advocate in the hospitality and creative community and continuously strives to educate and train the newer generations of people joining the industry. She believes in the intersectionality of activism and the industry and uses her position to amplify AAPI causes and other social change whenever possible.
Nalee Kim
Director of Operation @ TyHand Group
Thi Nguyen (she/her/hers) is a bartender at Moon Rabbit, a D.C. restaurant that expresses Vietnamese recipes through modern techniques. Thi is passionate to translates Vietnamese heritage & culture into the language of cocktails. Thi has participated in many cocktail competitions since 2018 and has won accolades across the country, including 2nd Place for Bartender of the Year in 2019 and 2020 West Region, Finalist for Woodford Reserve's Manhattan Experience competition in 2022 in D.C., and recently a National Finalist in Speed Rack season 11. Beyond her passion for bartending, Thi also works in public health. Thi's journey as a bartender and her multifaceted contributions to public health embody her commitment to creativity, culture, and community.