Tom Cunanan facts for kids

Tom Cunanan is a talented Filipino American chef known for his amazing cooking in Washington, D.C.. He brings the delicious flavors of the Philippines to his popular restaurant.

Tom Cunanan's Early Life

Tom Cunanan was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States when he was just three years old. He grew up in Hyattsville, Maryland, as one of seven children.

While attending Northwestern High School, Tom got his first job through the Boys & Girls Club. He started by washing dishes and helping at a restaurant called Corduroy in Washington, D.C.. This early experience sparked his interest in the food world. After high school, he decided to study cooking at The Art Institute of Washington.

Becoming a Chef: Culinary Journey

Tom Cunanan worked in many different kitchens across Washington, D.C., learning from experienced chefs. He gained valuable skills and knowledge at places like Vidalia and Bibiana. He even became an executive sous chef at Ardeo + Bardeo, which means he was one of the main chefs helping to run the kitchen.

Sharing Family Recipes

A very important moment in Tom's career happened in 2012. His mother became sick, and he wanted to make sure her amazing Filipino cuisine recipes would be remembered. He worked with her to write down all her special dishes. These family recipes became the foundation for a catering business he started.

Opening Bad Saint Restaurant

In 2014, Tom met Nick Pimentel and Genevieve Villamora, who also loved Filipino food. They all shared a dream of opening a Filipino restaurant. With help from a special fundraising effort called Kickstarter, they were able to open their restaurant, Bad Saint, in 2015. It quickly became a popular spot in the Columbia Heights area of Washington, D.C.

Awards and Recognition

Bad Saint quickly became famous! In 2016, Bon Appétit magazine named it one of the best new restaurants in the entire country. A well-known food critic, Pete Wells from The New York Times, gave Bad Saint a fantastic review, saying the food was "richly compelling." This means the food was incredibly interesting and delicious, even for people who hadn't tried Filipino food before. In 2017, the website Eater also listed Bad Saint as one of the top restaurants in America.

Tom Cunanan's hard work and talent were recognized with a major award. After being a finalist two times, he won the prestigious 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic region. This award is like an Oscar for chefs, celebrating the best in the food world!