Waldo Thai is helmed by our acclaimed Executive Chef, Pam Liberda. Our restaurant specializes in the diverse and vibrant flavors of Northern Thai cuisine, with a unique emphasis on the exquisite dishes of the Lanna culinary tradition.
At Waldo Thai, we are committed to maintaining the authenticity and richness of Northern Thai flavors by incorporating high-quality, local ingredients in every dish we create. It is our passion to share the depth and diversity of Northern Thai cuisine with our guests, offering them a unique and unforgettable dining experience.
Our Team
Pam Liberda
executive chef
Chef Pam Liberda was born in Lampang, Northern Thailand. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Mahidol University and emigrated to Kansas City in 1998. After falling in love with Teddy Liberda, who at the time owned Thai Place Restaurant chain, she decided to give up her nursing career and follow her passions in the culinary scene. She has since helped Teddy open eight restaurants.
Liberda took time to focus on raising their two daughters and providing a stable home environment for her family. With no formal training, she acquired her culinary skills by watching and cooking homestyle dishes alongside her mother growing up. Liberda’s passion for food led her to work with Cerner as the International Station Chef, cooking her international inspired cuisine daily for more than 500 patrons. Now, with her husband Teddy’s help and support, Liberda is running the show, preparing her own authentic, homestyle, delicious Thai food for the guests at Waldo Thai.
Chef Pam Liberda has achieved the distinguished honor of being a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Award, recognized in the category of Best Chef: Midwest 2023. Liberda was voted “2021 Chef of the Year’ in Kansas City by Feast Magazine. She was also named The Best Chef in “The Best of Kansas City 2022 by The Pitch KC.
James Chang
General Manager
Born into a family of cooks and restaurant entrepreneurs, James has spent many years as a member in the both the kitchen in the front of house staffs. Formally trained for 6 years by Pam Liberda, he does everything he can to ensure your experience is magical. James prides himself in having a deep knowledge of the menu, as well as making everlasting memories with his patrons. When you come into Waldo Thai as a guest, James ensures you leave as family.
Darrell Loo
bar manager
As a bartender, Darrell Loo prides himself on precision, technique, and care. Originally from Malaysa, he is known for his ardent creativity and hospitality. Loo has collected awards in local and regional cocktail competitions while popular features in regional publications have earned him recognition across the midwest to casual drinkers and hospitality industry professionals alike.
Currently, Loo holds the Bar Manager position at Waldo Thai in Kansas City, Missouri. Loo’s former positions as bar manager and head bartender at other respected Kansas City cocktail bars has secured him a reputation for high quality and extensive spirit knowledge, while his activism and outspoken service for hardworking service industry employees has led him to be widely respected and admired.
Loo finds the most satisfaction in cultivating knowledge and then utilizing his experience and creativity to repay the generosity and kindness of his patrons through attentive service and through the spirits and cocktails he shares with them.
Kevin Foster
Chef de cuisine
A little-known fun fact about Kevin is that his mother graduated high school in Bangkok, Thailand. Growing up, he always enjoyed cooking, and the influence from his mother’s time spent in Thailand stuck with him. He graduated from Warrensburg High School and spent time in the culinary program at JOCO. Kevin then accrued a majority of his skills during a 5 year apprenticeship at Loch Lloyd Country Club.
Beginning in 2016, he was working as a Sous Chef, overseeing the main prep for Company Kitchen (the food company that runs the restaurants at Cerner) where he crossed paths with Pam Liberda. After opening Waldo Thai, Pam knew Kevin was the perfect fit for her team and he joined the us in 2019.
In addition to bringing his strong understanding of flavors and particular eye for plating, Kevin has created dishes that have become fan favorites at the restaurant. Panang Duck, the Nua Satay with Peanut Sauce and Pickled Vegetables, and the San Ua-Thai Sausage have all been a great success directly from Kevin’s authentic passion in the kitchen.