Nini Nguyen

Đặc Biệt - New Orleans, LA

Based in New Orleans, Nini Nguyen is a chef and cookbook author known for blending‬ her Vietnamese heritage with Louisiana-inspired flavors. She began her culinary journey‬ in some of the country’s most acclaimed kitchens, including Eleven Madison Park in‬ New York, before stepping into the spotlight on‬‭ Top Chef‬‭ Season 16 and‬‭ Top Chef:‬ All-Stars Los Angeles‬‭, gaining a dedicated fan following‬‭ along the way.‬ Her debut cookbook,‬‭ Đặc Biệt: An Extra Special Vietnamese Cookbook‬‭, was‬ released in 2024 and named one of Amazon’s Best Cookbooks of the year. The‬ book is a heartfelt celebration of her roots and the food that shaped her – filled with‬ recipes that are both deeply personal and widely approachable.‬‭ Nguyen made her Food Network debut on Season 5 of‬‭ Tournament of Champions‬‭ and‬ returned for Season 6. She also won the premiere season of‬‭ Last Bite Hotel‬‭ and‬‭ appeared on‬‭ Guy’s Grocery Games‬‭ and‬‭ 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing‬‭.‬‭ Outside the kitchen, Nini Nguyen shares recipes, kitchen tips, and cooking tutorials on‬‭ Instagram and TikTok at @chefnininguyen, and contributes to‬‭ Food & Wine‬‭,‬‭ Food52‬‭,‬‭ and‬‭ Serious Eats‬‭.‬
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