Who is Kenny Nguyen? 'Top Chef' Season 21 contestant was named Rising Star of Georgia in 2021
ATHENS, GEORGIA: Kenny Nguyen is going to be competing on Bravo's 'Top Chef' Season 21.
Kenny, 28, brought his talents and passion for cooking to The Expat’s kitchen in Athens, where he served as Executive Chef since the restaurant's reopening after the COVID-19 hibernation. Nguyen collaborates with local farms such as Woodland Gardens, Ladybird, and Collective Harvest to procure fresh ingredients for The Expat, contributing to a stronger sense of community in the area.
Ultimately, Nguyen's passion is fueled by catering to others and creating dishes he loves.
'Top Chef' Season 21 contestant Kenny Nguyen learned the art of cooking from his Vietnamese grandmother
Born in Philadelphia as a first-generation American, Chef Kenny Nguyen inherited the culinary artistry from his family, particularly his Vietnamese grandmother.
"I started getting in trouble a lot as a kid and being shoved into a kitchen with my grandma," reflects Nguyen. Surprisingly, the intended repercussions for his unruly behavior didn't have the anticipated effect. Instead, those moments ignited a deep love for cooking within Nguyen, a passion that remained steadfast throughout his life.
Although Nguyen initially pursued pre-pharmacy in college, he made the bold decision to drop out and pursue his culinary passion by enrolling in culinary school. He pursued formal education at the Art Institute of Atlanta, where he honed his skills. Kenny then embarked on his culinary journey by working in several kitchens like Ruby Tuesday's and Seabear in Athens, eventually ascending to the role of Sous Chef at Sea Bear Oyster Bar.
Seeking further refinement, he ventured to New York, where he enriched his expertise as a fishmonger at Greenpoint Fish & Lobster and secured a position at Jen Pelka's renowned establishment, the Riddler.
Kenny Nguyen accepted an Executive Chef position at the Expat in Athens
The pandemic led Nguyen back to Georgia, where he took up a position at the Ritz Carlton in Lake Oconee before ultimately accepting the role of Executive Chef at The Expat in Athens. His culinary approach revolves around experimenting with food and flavor pairings, drawing inspiration from his Vietnamese heritage to innovate new dishes.
In recognition of his talent and contributions to the culinary scene, Kenny was honored as the Rising Star of Georgia by Restaurant Informer magazine in 2021.
Chef Kenny Nguyen created a local pop-up food stall called The Side Hustle
In Athens, Nguyen and a group of his friends in the restaurant industry co-founded The Side Hustle, a local pop-up food stall known for its collaboration with regional farms, partnerships with local businesses, and commitment to philanthropy. A portion of the proceeds from The Side Hustle's sales is donated to various Georgia and Athens-based organizations, including the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement and Southern Fried Queer Pride.
Over the past year, their brunch pop-ups have made significant contributions, raising $650 for Mutual Aid Athens in February and over $3,700 for the Bayou Fund and IDA Relief for Small Black Neighborhoods in September. Nguyen's involvement with The Side Hustle has influenced his approach as Executive Chef at The Expat. Nguyen emphasized the vital role of community support, stating that without it, he wouldn't have achieved what he did. He expressed a sense of responsibility to source ingredients from local suppliers as much as possible, now that he had the autonomy to make purchasing decisions.
'Top Chef' Season 21 contestant Kenny Nguyen set to open a new restaurant Pretty Boy in 2024
Presently, Nguyen is dedicated to the launch of his own Vietnamese restaurant in Athens, named Pretty Boy. The establishment serves as a homage to his grandmother, with the name being the English translation of her endearing nickname for him.
His dedication to the culinary industry has persisted for over 10 years, and he is driven by his love for serving people and his enthusiasm for cooking.
'Top Chef' Season 21 premieres on Bravo on Wednesday, March 20 from 9 pm. The episodes will be accessible the next day on Peacock.
