Tien – Alden
Saigon Tourism College
- Program: Certificate in Culinary Arts
- Focus: Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines.
Advanced Culinary Workshop, Beijing
- Program: A three-month intensive program of Advanced Culinary Workshop
- Focus: Authentic Chinese cuisine.
Vietnamese Traditional Cooking School
- Program: Certificate of Vietnamese Traditional Cooking
- Focus: A specialized course on traditional and family recipes passed down through generations.
American College of Vietnam
- Program: Bartender
- Focus: Provide background knowledge and help students confident to create appealing drinks
Key Accomplishments
- Over five years of expertise in food writing, editing, and culinary video production, with a focus on Asian cuisines.
- Skilled in describing the nuances of dishes, from street food staples to high-end dining experiences, across Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines.
- Possesses a talent for weaving together various flavors, cooking methods, and cultural culinary traditions in his work, offering readers and viewers a taste of Asia’s rich food heritage.
Experience
At Fifteen.net, Alden’s writing on Vietnamese and Chinese food has contributes to make the site a favorite for authentic recipes. Her work features great visuals and useful information.
As a Chef at Lotus Garden Restaurant, she mixed traditional and modern tastes to delight customers. At Bamboo Terrace, her weekend menu drew more visitors. At Saigon Bistro, her innovative appetizers added to the restaurant’s charm. An internship at The Great Wall Kitchen in Beijing sharpened her skills in Chinese cooking, showing her adaptability and dedication to culinary excellence
Personal Interests
Alden, an enthusiastic home cook, delights in exploring and mastering recipes and cooking styles. Her current passion lies in refining a variety of international dishes, each enhanced with her personal touch through the selection of unique and tasteful ingredients.
Education
As Head Chef at Day’li Cafe & Restaurant, Zazz Urban HCMC, Alden excelled in blending traditional Vietnamese and Chinese flavors with contemporary tastes, significantly improving the menu’s appeal of both dishes and beverages. Her leadership at The Saigon Eats as Sous Chef led to a successful weekend menu initiative.
At Hanoi Delights, her innovative Vietnamese appetizers earned acclaim, showcasing her creative culinary skills. Alden’s internship at Dragon & Phoenix in Shanghai under Master Chef Li Wei enriched her expertise in authentic Chinese cuisine, preparing her for major catering events and reinforcing her culinary expertise.
Key Insights into Alden’s Culinary World
What’s your go-to dish to cook?
“I love making dim sum. It’s fun because you can try so many different flavors and techniques in one meal.”
How do you mix new trends with traditional Asian cooking?
“I like to add a twist to classic dishes, maybe using a new ingredient or cooking method, but always keeping the original taste in mind.”
What’s your must-have tool for Asian recipes?
“A wok. It’s perfect for so many cooking styles, like frying, steaming, and more, making it a kitchen staple.”
What traditional food trend do you still cherish?
“I’m a big fan of the farm-to-table concept. Emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients benefits both the flavor of the food and the local community.”
How do you introduce someone to Asian cooking and beverages?
“Beginning with fundamental flavors and techniques is key. Understanding the basics sets the foundation, allowing for creativity in both food and traditional beverages, like mastering the balance in a classic Vietnamese coffee or a refreshing bubble tea.”
