Chef Charles Phan is (and will always be) a culinary icon.
July 30, 1962 - January 20, 2025
CHARLES PHAN was more than a chef—he was a giant. He didn’t just introduce Vietnamese food to a wider audience; he redefined what was possible. He made it clear that Vietnamese cuisine belonged in fine dining, on white tablecloths, paired with wine, and celebrated in the same way as any other great food culture. Without him, chefs like me wouldn’t have had the permission to experiment, to push boundaries, or to challenge the idea of what Vietnamese food could be.
IMPACT
Phan’s approach wasn’t about making Vietnamese food more palatable to the masses but about presenting it with confidence, exactly as it was meant to be. He believed in innovation and evolution, but never at the cost of losing the cultural identity of his Vietnamese-Californian dishes. That belief shaped my journey. He showed me that tradition and innovation aren’t at odds and that Vietnamese food can evolve while staying true to its roots.
LEGACY
hout Charles Phan, there wouldn’t be GiGi’s—or Chef Tu David Phu as I am today. The idea that Vietnamese food could be served with wine, that it could exist unapologetically in a space of refinement and creativity—that came from him. My cooking, my restaurant, and my vision for the future of Vietnamese cuisine all stand on the foundation he built.
July 30, 1962 - January 20, 2025