About us

Benjamin Evans:

Hey there, I’m Benjamin Evans! I’ve always been passionate about bold flavors, vibrant spices, and the art of grilling. Growing up, I fell in love with Thai cuisine and the incredible depth of flavors it offers. I’ve traveled to over 40 countries in my 28 years on this planet, immersing myself in diverse cultures and gaining hands-on experiences with their culinary traditions. These experiences have taught me the importance of great food, genuine hospitality, and creating memorable dining moments. Alongside my travels, I’ve built a career in catering and restaurants, working at Herban Feast Catering Company and Habitant Bar in Nordstroms honing my skills in hospitality. Throughout my journey, I’ve developed a strong passion for team building — creating cohesive, motivated, and innovative teams that share a common vision for delivering exceptional food and service. I believe that a great restaurant is built on collaboration, trust, and a shared passion for excellence. Now, I’m bringing my vision to life 8 Ping Yang with my Business partner Chef Thiraphan Suttabusya (Ice), a passion project dedicated to offering a fresh take on Thai dishes, grilled to perfection, and infused with innovative twists. In Thai culture, the number 8 is associated with wealth and prosperity. This is largely due to the influence of Chinese culture, where 8 is considered a lucky number due to its sound similar to "wealth" in Cantonese. Many Thais, including those of Thai-Chinese descent, believe that the number 8 can bring good fortune and success. “Ping Yang” in Thai means "grilled" or "charbroiled". It typically refers to grilled meat dishes, often on a skewer or stick, popular as street food in Thailand. Ping yang is a common way to prepare and serve meat in Thai cuisine. This restaurant is my way of sharing my culinary journey, inspired by my travels, career, and love for creating unforgettable flavors. I want 8 Ping Yang to be a casual dining space where friends and family can gather, enjoy great food, and experience the warmth of Thai hospitality. Building this project has been a labor of love, and I can’t wait to welcome you to my table. Come hungry, and let’s create some delicious memories together!

Chef Ice:

Thiraphan Suttabusya (Ice) was born and raised in Thailand. He has learned to cook Thai food from his grandma since he was young. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Hotel and tourism from Thailand, and then he decided to come to the USA to study culinary art. After graduating he then had an internship in Thailand with a previous Iron Chef Thailand (Chef Ian Chalerm Kittichai) then he traveled back to Seattle and started working in a fine dining European Restaurant "Tossonis" in Bellevue. In 2005, He asked to be a head chef who cooked for a princess of Thailand while she visited Seattle. He went back to Thailand and worked in 4-5 star hotels from Hua-hin to Phuket for 10 years until he became an Executive Chef. Then he joined Hard Rock Cafe as a regional kitchen Manager who travels and trains staff in Asia. In 2016 he took the opportunity to come back to Seattle and bought a restaurant called Ti22. He opened another restaurant in April 2025 "8 Ping Yang" to bring Thai grill-style food to the Capitol Hill area with the help of his partner Evans & family. He hopes to bring grill-style cooking from Thailand to the Pacific Northwest.

CJ:

CJ (Christian) is a born and raised Seattleite who's passion for service and bartending is a welcomed blend of nuanced passion and old school hospitality. From humble (divey) beginnings to craft cocktail development to running one of Seattle's most reputable catering services as the Alcohol and Beverage Director, he has shown the same dedicated commitment and (some may say unhealthy) ambition as when he first spilt his first cocktail. CJ has brought his experiences, knowledge and personality to 8 @ Ping Yang to finally create memorable experiences for people in the Capitol Hill area. The freedom and trust given to him has allowed his creativity and obsession for bartending to fully come through for everyone and anyone willing to take a chance on a good time. The current bar selection at 8 Ping Yang came along by attempting to pair the taste of the Thai inspired kitchen to accommodating and unique cocktails. Most of which includes already existing ingredients from said kitchen! His hope is to create great experiences, inform and teach the next generation of the hospitality industry and to continue learning and absorbing as much as he can to further his repertoire to keep the creative cycle going as long as he is standing!

Tina:

Hi, I’m a self-taught baker from Seattle who’s been creating desserts for the past five years. What began as a simple way to share homemade treats with friends and family quickly became something more meaningful—a creative outlet, a form of therapy, and a way to express who I am. My baking style is rooted in Asian fusion flavors and traditional techniques, bringing together ingredients and ideas that reflect my background and personal story. Each dessert I make is crafted with care, not just to taste good, but to create moments of joy and connection. Seattle is home, and I’m passionate about sharing that sense of warmth and community through the desserts I create.