Episode 367. Sam Fore-Owner at Tuk Tuk Sri Lankan Bites- & 1st-Generation Sri Lankan-American Restauranteur

***This MoxieTalk was taped on location

at the 2021 RailBird Music Festival***

Traditionally, a Railbird is a horse racing enthusiast known for sticking close to the action, hanging on the rail as each contender comes barreling down the track. For one special weekend in August, the term adds meaning during the 2nd Annual Railbird Festival. 2 days. 3 stages. World-class artists. All on the historic grounds of Keeneland.

SAM FORE-

Samantha Fore is a first-generation Sri Lankan American from Lexington, Kentucky. She started her pop-up restaurant in 2016 after traditional Sri Lankan brunches in her home outgrew her dining room. Tuk Tuk Sri Lankan Bites™ pop-up menus include Sam’s spin on Southern classics and riffs on her mother’s time-tested recipes. Tuk Tuk is one of the few representations of Sri Lankan cuisine in the United States and reflects Sam’s Sri Lankan upbringing in the American South. Her work has been featured in Food & Wine, Taste of the South, and Fine Cooking magazines. She was selected as one of Southern Living magazine’s 2020 Cooks of the Year and was named as one of Plate Magazine’s 2018 Chefs to Watch. She also serves as Director of Technology for the LEE Initiative.

Sam Fore is a Sri Lankan-American chef and restaurant owner renowned for her contributions to popularizing Sri Lankan cuisine in the United States. Based in Lexington, Kentucky, Fore gained prominence through her pop-up dining concept, Tuk Tuk Sri Lankan Bites. Through Tuk Tuk Sri Lankan Bites, Fore offers a unique culinary experience that showcases the rich flavors, spices, and traditions of Sri Lankan cooking blended with Southern American influences.

Fore’s journey into the culinary world is marked by a passion for her heritage and a desire to share it with a broader audience. Her approach to cooking is deeply influenced by her family’s recipes and Sri Lanka’s diverse culinary traditions, which include a wide range of spices, coconut, and fresh ingredients central to the island’s cuisine. By incorporating elements of Southern cooking, Fore creates a fusion that is both innovative and respectful of her roots, making Sri Lankan cuisine more accessible and relatable to American palates.

Sam Fore’s work extends beyond the kitchen. She advocates for diversity in the culinary industry and uses her platform to highlight the importance of cultural representation and inclusivity in food. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed; she has been featured in national publications and has participated in culinary events and conferences, where she shares her expertise and promotes the richness of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Fore’s impact is significant in that she introduces new flavors and dishes to the American dining scene and fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of Sri Lankan culture. Sam Fore inspires both seasoned food enthusiasts and those new to Sri Lankan cuisine through her culinary ventures, contributing to the global tapestry of culinary traditions and innovations.