With roots in London, England, Kym Nguyen found their way across the pond over a decade ago and hasn't looked back. After spending several years in Toronto upon arriving to Canada, the chef settled themselves in Vancouver where they now work as the sous chef at the award-winning Pidgin Restaurant.
For the past two months, Nguyen's culinary skills have been thrust into the national limelight by way of Top Chef Canada Season 9 where they have proven to be a formidable competitor in the competition...if not the most formidable. The proudly queer and non-binary chef has won the majority of the challenges over the past seven weeks so it's hard to argue against the fact that they are a culinary force to be reckoned with.
The season's finale airs on June 7 on Food Network Canada and the chef is one of four talented finalists left to battle it out for the title of Canada's Top Chef, a $100,000 cash prize and a brand new Lexus.
If they cook as well in the finale as they have thus far in the season, it's likely Nguyen will make history as the first non-binary chef to be crowned a season champion. Needless to say, our fingers our crossed!
Recently, the talented chef took some time to chat with us about their favourite spots for eats and drinks in their home base of Vancouver.
Breakfast
I don't usually go out for breakfast–I like to cook breakfast and brunch at home for my partner. But [when I do], I'm a big fan of The Red Wagon and a sucker for a great cheese omelette.
Lunch
This is a favourite of mine! My partner and I love to spend the afternoon on Granville Island, walking around the food market and having a Chau Veggie Express in front of the water.
My go-to is the Rickety Rickshaw bowl—it's all vegan and gluten free. I don't eat a lot of heavy food and this is a great vegetarian Vietnamese option for me. You also gotta get the extra spring rolls too.
Finish it off with their signature coconut shake!
Dinner
Banditas Taqueria. I love coming here for dinner and I always get the same thing every time I come.
Their smokey sweet chipotle tofu quesadilla with their house salad is my go-to. I have a hibiscus iced tea to go along with it.
It's always pretty lively there.
Drinks
I love me some natural wines and Juice Bar is my favourite place to go.
