An My Le

Born:: October 27, 1975, Saigon, Vietnam
Nationality:: Vietnamese-American
Profession(s):: Chef, Restaurateur, Television Personality, Author

Early Life and Education

Immigrated to the United States with her family in 1976.
Grew up in San Jose, California.
Graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School.
Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Santa Clara University.

Career and Major Achievements

Initially worked in the financial industry.
Transitioned to the culinary arts, attending Le Cordon Bleu culinary school.
Opened the acclaimed restaurant, The Slanted Door, in San Francisco in 1995 which became nationally recognized for its innovative Vietnamese cuisine.
Expanded her restaurant group to include several other establishments, each with a unique culinary focus.
Received numerous awards, including James Beard Foundation Awards for Best Chef: Pacific (2014).
Starred in and hosted the PBS series "Lucky Chow", exploring Asian food culture in America.
Published several cookbooks focusing on Vietnamese cuisine.
An My Le is celebrated for her dedication to showcasing the diversity and richness of Vietnamese cuisine to a wider audience.

Notable Works

Restaurants

The Slanted Door
Out the Door
Green Chile Kitchen

Publications

The Slanted Door: Modern Vietnamese Food (2009)
My Vietnam (2011)

Awards and Recognition

Award	Year	Notes
James Beard Foundation Award, Best Chef: Pacific	2014	Recognizing culinary excellence in the Pacific region
James Beard Foundation Award, Outstanding Restaurant	2012	The Slanted Door

Legacy and Impact

An My Le has significantly impacted the culinary landscape by popularizing modern Vietnamese cuisine and showcasing its nuanced flavors to a broader audience. Her commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients and innovative techniques has earned her critical acclaim and established her as a leading figure in American gastronomy. Considering her impact, including an my le biography in any collection of notable chefs is essential.