The California table is a confluence of food, culture and geography. Chef Tien Tran exemplifies the stories and talents that make the West Coast the canvas upon which many a culinary portrait has been recorded. From immigrant beginnings Chef Tien helped make the family food while both his parents worked long hours to establish their humble roots in the Sacramento River Delta. At home it was a blend of Vietnamese and Americana, always with a French twist learned by his father’s side. This is when he fell in love with food and family.

Coming up the ranks at a large corporate fast casual chain he climbed from dishwasher to district manager and mastered the art of multi-unit restaurant management. This journey, as professionally rewarding as it was, got him away from the values that made him an ardent purveyor of his kitchen craft. In 2018 he came on board with the award-winning team at ACE Hotel And Swim Club - the legendary Palm Springs destination - as Banquet Chef. It was a time of growth, reflection and reconnecting with his soul as he sought out his roots once again. He was also guided by an array of Chefs that taught him their own nuances.

Chef Tien’s most recent foray into new realms comes as he reconnects with his family table by bringing his version of Modern California Cuisine and creates his own recipes which combine his Vietnamese roots, along with French, Italian, and Latin American influences. As a Private Chef he excels at creating a closer relationship with his clients and his model is that “Food will bring people together. Great food will always make great company and experiences.” He is the finest the California Tale has to offer.