Charles Phan facts for kids
Phan in 2014
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| Born | Toàn Phan July 30, 1962 Da Lat, South Vietnam (now Vietnam) |
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| Died | January 20, 2025 (aged 62) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley |
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Current restaurant(s)
The Slanted Door, San Francisco
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Charles Phan (born Toàn Phan; July 30, 1962 – January 20, 2025) was a famous chef, cookbook writer, and restaurant owner. He was born in Vietnam and later became an American citizen. Charles Phan was the main chef and creator of "The Slanted Door" restaurant in San Francisco, California. He also owned a group of other restaurants. He wrote two cookbooks about delicious Vietnamese food.
Contents
Charles Phan's Early Life and Journey
Charles Phan grew up in Da Lat, a city in South Vietnam (which is now part of Vietnam). His parents had moved there from China in the 1960s. His family name, Phan, is Vietnamese and sounds like "fän." His first name was Toàn, but he changed it to Charles when he came to the United States.
Family Business and Inspiration
In Vietnam, Charles's father, Hung Con Phan, and his uncle opened a small grocery store. Charles and his five brothers and sisters helped out with the family business. This early experience later inspired him to open his own restaurant in San Francisco called Wo Hing General Store.
Fleeing Vietnam and New Beginnings
In April 1975, when Charles was 13 years old, his family had to leave Vietnam. They left just before Saigon, a major city, was taken over. Charles, his family of eight, and about 400 other people traveled on a cargo ship. The ship eventually reached Guam, an island, where they lived for 18 months.
While in Guam, an American couple helped Charles's family by providing them with a home. Charles became very interested in cooking during this time. He helped his aunt cook and watched a cooking show by a famous chef named Jacques Pépin on TV.
Moving to San Francisco and Education
After living in Guam, Charles and his family moved again. They settled in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the Chinatown neighborhood and went to Mission High School. He graduated from high school in 1982.
Charles was accepted into the Department of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. However, he left college during his third year. He did this to protest a big increase in tuition fees. After leaving college, Charles worked in software sales and other jobs. During this time, he was also planning his very first restaurant, "The Slanted Door."
Charles Phan's Restaurant Career
As a teenager, Charles's love for food grew. He watched his mom, Quyen Van Tran, and his aunt cook at home. He also explored the exciting food scene in San Francisco. Charles saw a chance to introduce American diners to the wonderful world of Vietnamese food. He started by cooking small dinners for his friends. This helped him improve his cooking style and develop his idea for a restaurant.
Opening The Slanted Door
In 1995, Charles Phan opened his first restaurant, "The Slanted Door." It was a fancy restaurant that served Vietnamese food. His goal was to make Vietnamese food special by using modern design and fresh, local ingredients. He also focused on serving high-quality teas and pairing food with the right wines.
The first "Slanted Door" was on Valencia Street in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood. It later moved to the SOMA (South of Market) area in 2002. Finally, in 2005, it moved to its famous spot at the historic Ferry Building. "The Slanted Door" was one of the first restaurants in San Francisco to offer special craft cocktails.
Awards and Expansion
In 2004, Charles Phan received a big award. He was named “Best Chef: California” by the James Beard Foundation. This foundation gives awards to top chefs and restaurants. In the years that followed, Charles continued to open more cafes and bars as part of his restaurant group.
Charles Phan's Personal Life
Charles Phan lived in San Francisco, California. He lived there with his wife and their three children.
Charles Phan passed away on January 20, 2025. He died from a heart attack at a hospital in San Francisco. He was 62 years old.
Charles Phan's Restaurants
Restaurants Open Now
- Slanted Door, San Ramon (opened 2019)
- Slanted Door, Napa (opened 2023)
- Slanted Door, Beaune (opened 2024)
- Chuck's Takeaway, San Francisco (opened 2022)
- Moonset, Larkspur (opening soon)
- Slanted Door, San Francisco (opened 1995, reopening in 2025)
Restaurants That Have Closed
- Out The Door at Westfield San Francisco Centre, San Francisco (2007–unknown)
- Academy Cafe at California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (2008–2014)
- The Coachman, San Francisco (2014–2015)
- Hard Water, San Francisco (2013–2020)
- Heaven's Dog, San Francisco (2009–2012)
- OTD (Out The Door Bush Street), San Francisco (2010–2021)
- Out The Door at Ferry Building, San Francisco (2005–2020)
- Rice and Bones at Bauer Wurster Hall, College of Environmental Design, University of California, Berkeley (2017–2023)
- South at SFJazz, San Francisco (2013–2017)
- Wo Hing General Store, San Francisco (2011–2013)
- Slanted Door, Las Vegas (2020)
Awards and Honors
- 2004 – Charles Phan was named “Best Chef: California” by the James Beard Foundation.
- 2011 – He was added to the James Beard Foundation's Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America. This is a list of very important people in the food and drink world.
- 2013 – His book “Vietnamese Home Cooking” won an award. It received the IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) Cookbook Award for Chefs and Restaurants.
- 2014 – The Slanted Door restaurant was recognized by the James Beard Foundation. It was named an Outstanding Restaurant in America.
- 2015 – Charles Phan's book “The Slanted Door” won another IACP Cookbook Award. This time, it won for its amazing photography.
