Mali Thai Bistro is family-owned. Chef Nutnisa (pronounced "Nut-Neesa") Hoffman is from northeast Thailand. She grew up in a family where cooking was a passion. Her brothers and sisters all learned to cook from their mother and father. They learned recipes handed down from generation-to-generation. This passion for cooking led each of Chef Nutnisa's older sisters to open restaurants in Thailand, one in Bangkok and one on the island Koh Samui.

Mali Thai Bistro in Lee's Summit is founded by Doug and Nutnisa Hoffman in 2015.

The dream of owning her own restaurant came true in June 2015 when Doug and Nutnisa Hoffman opened the Mali Thai Bistro, located right off Highway 291 North, just north of Lee's Summit High School. Mali Thai Bistro was named in honor of Chef Nutnisa’s mother, with Mali being the name of a jasmine flower that she loved.

Chef Nutnisa and her parents enjoy the beautiful fall hues of gold, orange and red in Lee's Summit. MO.