Nini Nguyen
She's a Food Network competitor and Vietnamese chef based in New Orleans.
Nini Nguyen's Bio
Nini Nguyen is a chef and cookbook author based in New Orleans, Louisiana. She grew up learning to cook with her grandmother, who worked as an oyster shucker. Nini’s original plan was actually to become a pharmacist, but one year after enrolling at the University of New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the campus and forced Nini’s family to relocate to Baton Rouge. It was there she learned more about Cajun cooking as she attended tailgates at Louisiana State University and worked in restaurants around the city. After college, Nini moved to New York, honing her skills at the famed Eleven Madison Park. Nini's Vietnamese roots influence her cuisine, and in 2024 she released her debut cookbook, Đặc Biệt: An Extra-Special Vietnamese Cookbook (Knopf, August 24, 2024), a full-color ode to Vietnam's culinary tradition.
A fan of Food Network since she was a child, Nini made the Food Network 2025 Hot List of star chefs to watch and competed in and won the inaugural season of Last Bite Hotel. She has also competed on Tournament of Champions and Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas, 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, Bobby's Triple Threat, Guy's Grocery Games and Bravo's Top Chef.
The Latest From Nini
These Are All the Chefs Competing in 'Tournament of Champions VII' 30 Photos
Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions VII premieres in March. Learn more about the competing chefs and their impressive credentials.
'Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas' — Who's Competing 17 Photos
Ready to get your holiday celebration on? Learn more about the chefs competing in Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas Seas …
'24 in 24: Last Chef Standing' Season 2: Every Hour of the Competition 26 Photos
Relive your favorite moments and jot down ingredient inspiration for your next culinary creation with this hour-by-hour recap. War …
Meet the Competing Chefs From '24 in 24: Last Chef Standing' Season 2 26 Photos
From internationally acclaimed chefs to up-and-coming culinary stars, the competition is fiercer than ever in the 24 in 24 kitchen …
'24 in 24: Last Chef Standing' Returns to Food Network For a Second Season Mar 17, 2025
The new season premieres Sunday, April 27. We have all the details.
Meet the Chefs Competing on Last Bite Hotel 0 Photos
These eight chefs are checking in to Tituss Burgess' hotel where demanding chef guests will challenge them throughout their stay.
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