Idaho Museum of International Diaspora

09/10/2026

It’s a wrap! Hosted by Holly Beech from Idaho Office for Refugees — a live episode of Mosaics on Radio Boise! Here’s a glimpse of the dynamic duo food adventurists and community leaders who bring food and people together to culture and community connections.

Community leaders:
Palina Louangketh | Idaho Museum of International Diaspora
Adan Callsen | Under the Table and West Bench Farmers Market

08/29/2026

| The role of international markets in cultural cuisines featuring our CEO / Executive Director, Dr. Palina Louangketh. Thank you, Rebecca Boone at Associated Press and the Idaho Capital Asian Market, for this summer article spotlight.

When kitchen burnout hits, figuring out what to make for dinner every day can feel like an impossible task. Eating out gets expensive.

08/25/2026

Thank you to our featured cook, Layla, for a special evening tonight preparing an Afghan culinary experience with the community. Tonight’s Afghan qaboli — a special rice-based dish infused with exotic spices, nuts, vegetables, and marinated chicken — was a delicious hit! Mmm! A special shout out to Layla’s daughter, Maeda, for her skillful language interpretation. We’re grateful to our partners —
Idaho Office for Refugees and The Idaho Foodbank — for co-hosting this year’s cultural culinary experience launch at our new location, the commercial kitchen at The Idaho Foodbank. Stay tuned as we plan ahead for November’s event featuring Lao cuisine.

08/25/2026

Tonight’s Afghan culinary experience with our featured cook, Layla from the Idaho Afghan community, was a special evening of exotic spices, delicious eats, and memorable community gathering at The Idaho Foodbank. A special shout out to Maeda for her exceptional interpretation skills in the kitchen with her mom, our featured cook. Thank you to our partners —
Idaho Office for Refugees and The Idaho Foodbank — for co-curating and co-hosting this year’s cultural culinary experience launch at our new location, the commercial kitchen at The Idaho Foodbank. Stay tuned as we plan ahead for November’s event featuring Lao cuisine.

08/11/2026

This weekend wrapped up in Austin, TX at the Asian American Resource Center (AARC). Our founder and CEO - Executive Director, Dr. Palina Louangketh, gave a special talk at Saturday’s sold out reception. Thank you to AARC for hosting the exhibition space and speakers’ venue. We’re grateful for both the Click and Yin families who played a special role in curating and launching this special exhibit — Lao Textiles: Connecting Threads through Time.

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The Lao Textiles: Connecting Threads through Time exhibition will remain open to the public through Sept. 30. at IMID — see link in bio or visit: https://www.idahomid.org/events |

​Exhibit location:
Asian American Resource Center
8401 Cameron Road | Austin, TX 78754

08/07/2026

Tomorrow’s exhibition reception, including a silk weaving demo, is sold out! We’re looking forward to sharing Lao textiles, history, culture, and cuisine with registered participants tomorrow at the Asian American Resource Center in Austin, TX.

The exhibition will remain open to the public through Sept. 30.

Exhibit:
Lao Textiles: Connecting Threads through Time
​
On view: Jul 14 - Sep 30, 2026​
Exhibit Reception: Aug 8, 2026 — SOLD OUT!!

​Venue location:
Asian American Resource Center
8401 Cameron Road | Austin, TX 78754

07/25/2026

Meet our cook, Layla, from the Idaho Afghan community! Register today to join our Afghan Culinary Experience and enjoy a free dinner with us in August.

Date & Time:
Monday | August 24, 2026 | 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Location:
The Idaho Foodbank | demonstration kitchen
3630 E Commercial Ct, Meridian, ID 83642

Who & What:
Free to the public – all ages welcome! Featured recipe includes: Qaboli, a marinated rice-based dish with beef and veggies. Come have dinner with us!

Requirement(s):
Due to limited space, registration is required.

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For more information, access: https://www.idahomid.org/events
Presented in partnership by: Idaho Office for Refugees | Idaho Museum of International Diaspora | The Idaho Foodbank

07/21/2026

Mark your calendar to join us on Aug. 24 and experience Afghan cuisine. more here: https://www.idahomid.org/events

Hosted by:
Idaho Office for Refugees
Idaho Museum of International Diaspora
The Idaho Foodbank

07/15/2026

This terrific trio are cooking up a delicious partnership! Idaho Museum of International Diaspora’s Kitchen of Exotic Eats — supported by our legacy partner, Idaho Office for Refugees — will be hosted by The Idaho Foodbank with an inaugural kickoff in August to premier our trio partnership’s in-person culinary cultural experience for the community to participate in and enjoy an evening of cultural celebration through food, food, and more food! Follow us to and stay tuned!

Partners | left to right:
— Beth Norton, Events & Partnerships Manager | Idaho Office for Refugees
— Palina Louangketh, founder & CEO / Executive Director | Idaho Museum of International Diaspora
— Kathy Holland, Director of Health and Nutrition | The Idaho Foodbank

07/08/2026

Join us in Austin, TX at the Asian American Resource Center!

Exhibit:
Lao Textiles: Connecting Threads through Time
​
On view: Jul 14 - Sep 30, 2026​
Exhibit Reception: Aug 8, 2026

​Venue location:
Asian American Resource Center
8401 Cameron Road | Austin, TX 78754