Peter Cuong Franklin facts for kids
| Born | Outside of Da Lat, South Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Education | Yale University (BS) Le Cordon Bleu |
Peter Cuong Franklin is a famous Vietnamese American chef. He is known for creating new and exciting Vietnamese dishes, which he calls "Cuisine Mới" (meaning "New Cuisine"). He founded popular restaurants like Anan Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Chôm Chôm in Hong Kong.
Peter was born in Da Lat, Vietnam. His mother, Nguyễn Thị Như Thừa, ran a noodle shop. When he was a child, Peter left Ho Chi Minh City on April 29, 1975, during a difficult time in Vietnam's history. He was later adopted by an American family. He went to Fairfield College Preparatory School and then studied at Yale University.
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Peter's Journey to Becoming a Chef
From Banking to Cooking
Before becoming a chef, Peter Cuong Franklin worked as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley. This was a job where he helped manage money for businesses. However, he decided to follow his passion for cooking.
In 2008, he enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu, a famous cooking school. After his training, he gained experience working in top restaurants around the world. He cooked at Nahm in Bangkok, Caprice in Hong Kong, and Next and Alinea in Chicago. These experiences helped him learn many different cooking styles and techniques.
Opening His First Restaurants
In 2011, Peter opened his first restaurant, Chôm Chôm, in the SoHo district of Hong Kong. This restaurant quickly became popular for its modern Vietnamese food.
Anan Saigon: A Special Restaurant
A Unique Location
In 2017, Peter Cuong Franklin opened Anan Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City. This restaurant is special because it's located in a "tube house" within an old market called Chợ Cu. A tube house is a tall, narrow building common in Vietnam. This location helps Anan Saigon feel connected to traditional Vietnamese culture while serving modern food.
Awards and Recognition
Anan Saigon has received many important awards:
- In 2021, it was the first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City to be named one of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.
- In 2023, it was ranked 40th on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
- Also in 2023, Anan Saigon earned one star in the first-ever Vietnam Michelin Guide. A Michelin star is a very high honor for a restaurant, showing its excellent quality.
Peter Franklin's Restaurants
Restaurants Open Now
- Anan Saigon
- Nhau Nhau
- Chôm Chôm
Past Restaurants
- Viet Kitchen
