Khanh Ong: On Food, Fashion, Heritage and Ambition
“I’m a massive feeder,” Khanh says, laughing, as plates are passed around the table. For him, cooking goes beyond the simple act of putting ingredients together. It’s the hosting, sharing and making sure everyone is looked after that give the meals meaning. “I absolutely love having people over for dinner”.
CALIBRE was lucky enough to join in on one of Khanh’s intimate dinner parties alongside a few of his closest friends. Chilli crisp focaccia sits next to dishes of cheese and charred meats. Kingfish and coral trout ceviche with a Thai-style dressing is adorned with apple, coconut and chives. The chef moves effortlessly throughout the kitchen, tasting, plating, and holding conversation all at once.
Born in a refugee camp and brought to Australia when he was two, Khanh’s connection to his heritage was complicated. He learnt to cook from his Mum, but traditional Vietnamese foods were rarely made as his parents tried to assimilate into Australian culture. “Mum’s always been very proud of me. In the last couple of years, more so than ever”, Khanh told us. “She’s like ‘learn how to make this. Make the best version of this that you can, so that I can give it to my friends and be like look at my son, look at what he can do’”.
Teaching himself traditional Vietnamese dishes became a way of reconnecting, of holding onto something that could have easily faded. It wasn’t about perfection, but preservation. Learning by doing, to build a deeper understanding of his culture.
More plates hit the table, and it is hard to stop your mouth from watering. The bespoke menu is inspired by intersections in Khanh's and CALIBRE's journeys, featuring Mediterranean dishes with an undercurrent of Asian flavours. Each dish is carefully considered and designed to be shared. Steak and fries are accompanied by a bitter leaf salad, a necessary contrast according to Khanh. “I love a bitter leaf. When we are eating things like steak or like butter and chips, there’s so much fat that you need a bitter flavour to kind of balance it out.”
The dinner party has settled into a rhythm now; the lights have dimmed and conversation flows. As Khanh speaks, it feels as though everyone in the room leans in a bit more. His style and ability to share stories with honesty and sharp wit is magnetic, and his laughter has the power to warm any room.
For Khanh, food and fashion exist in instinct. “They’re both how I express something before I say a word”. What Khanh wears is just as important as the dishes he presents. Both are extensions of who he is, and he doesn't want to be misunderstood. “It’s all storytelling,” he explained, “just told either on the plate or worn on the body”.
“I love dressing up… it makes me feel like I’ve got my life together,” he says, pausing slightly, “which I don’t”. Clothing often becomes a way of stepping into a better version of oneself. A version where confidence is inherent, even if just for the night. Khanh notes that, just as a bitter leaf salad contrasts with the fat of a steak, a good outfit is all about balance. “When you’ve got something that’s super structured, you want something that is a little bit more relaxed”.
Success for Khanh is often preceded by one of his biyearly manifestation walks with his closest friend, Sarah. He explained to us their tradition of speaking into existence their most wild and outlandish dreams and how they often come true. “When you do vocalise those things, they're more likely to happen”, Khanh said. The success of these walks is due to his ability to be completely open and honest with Sarah, awkwardness not allowed.
Back at the table, the pace has slowed. Rich tiramisu and red wine, topped up without asking. No one is in a rush to leave. The night settles into something quieter, more familiar. Everyone is at home around the dining table. Whilst a night out at your favourite bar or restaurant will always have its place, dinner parties offer something different. Comfort, closeness and a bit more freedom. Around Khanh’s table, it’s less about where you are and more about who you’re with.
