The Cambodian Vying to be Crowned “TOP CHEF” Canada
Chef Chanthy Yen is celebrated for his innovative approach to modern Cambodian cuisine. With a nearly two-decades-long career, Chef Yen has established himself as a leading figure in the gastronomic world, blending traditional techniques with a contemporary flair to create exceptional dining experiences.
After graduating from the prestigious Northwest Culinary Academy, Chef honed his skills in famous kitchens across Canada and abroad. His early career saw him working under the mentorship of some of the world’s most respected chefs, where he mastered the art of balancing complex flavours and textures.
A Cambodian immigrant to Canada, Chanty Yen’s remarkable career began when he graduated from the prestigious Northwest Culinary Academy in Vancouver, he began honing his skills in some highly respected kitchens across Canada, before working Internationally at Michelin-starred restaurants in San Sebastian and Barcelona, Spain.
Eater Montreal named chef Yen ‘Chef of the Year’ when he opened his first restaurant there, Fieldstone. Then in 2021, he served as personal chef to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family.
Chef Yen’s signature dishes emphasise the use of locally sourced ingredients and bold flavours and have set new standards in the industry for Canada. His commitment to culinary excellence extends beyond the plate. He is also an enthusiastic advocate for sustainability and regularly collaborates with local farmers and artisans to promote responsible sourcing.
Yen is deeply committed to creating an inclusive work environment, promoting diversity in the kitchen and striving for a culture of mentorship, which will provide opportunities for new voices to be heard.
Chef Chanthy Yen continues to push the boundaries of Canadian gastronomy, respectfully weaving creativity, and innovation into a deep respect for food lore and tradition. With his inventive approach to contemporary food, as well as his dynamic vision for the future of the industry, Chef Yen’s influence is being felt far beyond the walls of his kitchen.
The pertinent question arises: what motivates an individual who has previously served as the personal chef to the Prime Minister of Canada and currently oversees the kitchen at a restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide in Vancouver to participate in a televised culinary competition?
Yen signed on as a contestant chef for the eleventh season of the culinary television show, Top Chef Canada. He is the first Cambodian to ever appear on the show.
As Chef Yen told Lindsay William-Ross of “Vancouver is Awesome” it was because, at 35 he had never done a cooking competition before. Never having been what he describes as a competitive person and then realizing he is always pushing his team to try new things; he says the idea of it just appealed to him.
After travelling across the country and around the world as a chef for 20 years, he returned to Vancouver in 2023 to take up the position of executive chef at Bacaro at the prestigious Fairmont Pacific Rim property. Chef Yen said he felt the show would allow him to highlight and share with his hometown, all the wonderful things he has learned, the skills he has honed and flavours, textures, and dishes he has crafted working in international kitchens over the past two decades. He is also the only chef from Vancouver in the season.
A mutual friend and a Canadian Chef in Cambodia, (at the incredible Indigo restaurant in Phnom Penh) Michael Pataran now informs us that Chef Chanthy has now made it all the way through to the final episode of season-eleven of Top Chef Canada. It is down to Chef Chanthy and one remaining contestant.
If successful in the grand finale, Chef Chanthy will be crowned ‘Canada’s Top Chef’ to cap off a remarkable success story for this young, passionate and brilliant Cambodian chef.
Michael writes:
“Hey everyone,
A chef friend of mine in Canada, Chanthy Yen who was born in Cambodia and moved to Canada years back is now in the finals of Top Chef Canada which airs this Monday morning (here in Cambodia) on FoodTV Canada.
If you can watch, please do so and cheer for Cambodia, I think this is great for Cambodia! Chanthy would love to come back to Phnom Penh next year and cook for the Royal Family.
We will definitely slate a 4-hands dinner here at Indigo Eatery.”
Best of luck Chanthy, we are sending lots of love and support to you from here in Cambodia.
Darren Gall
