A local Thai restaurant decided to close its doors for two weeks so their head chef could be treated to a special trip home.

Chef's Choice Noodle Bar in downtown Bakersfield temporarily closed on September 19 for the head chef, Preeda Piamfa, to see travel to Thailand to see his family, who he only sees once a year.

The restaurant posted a sign outside reading: "Our head chef is from Thailand and every year, we send him back to visit his family." 

The sign says the two-week closure happens every fall, since Piamfa was unable to see his family for 15 years before working at Noodle Bar. 

Noodle Bar owners Nick and Pum Hansa buy Piamfa's ticket home every year. 

Chef's Choice Noodle Bar said they will be back open when Piamfa is "back and refreshed" on October 4th at 11 a.m.