COMPETITOR

The Culinary Code

HEAD COOK: Preston Nguyen

COMPETITION: World Chef Championship

CHEF PRESTON NGUYEN Starting his culinary career in 2020 as a senior in high school, Preston worked at his first restaurant (Prince Lebanese Grill) during the pandemic. In 2021, he competed against thousands of chefs at the World Food Championships. Preston took home the title of 2021 World Chef Champion at the age of 18. Several months later, he would take the title of the 2021 World Food Champion, winning the 2022 Final Table event and being the youngest ever awarded. Preston would then go on to compete in Gordon Ramsay's Next Level Chef Season 2, which premiered as the most-watched TV cooking show in America. Chef Ramsay picked Preston as his first draft for his team and said, "I, Chef Ramsay, was not cooking at that level at the age of 19" and he called Preston one of the most talented young chefs in the country. Preston's awards and competitions include the 2021 Dallas World Food Championships Golden Ticket Competition, 2021 World Chef Champion, Jeune Chefs Rotisseurs Competition (2nd place), 2021 World Food Champion, 2021 World Food Champion Rookie of the Year (18yrs old), and 2022 World Invitational Steak Championship (1st Master Judges) Final 8, Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef (8 episodes), October 25th Officially named Preston Nguyen Day in Tarrant County, 2023 World Food Championships Bite Club – Winner, 2023 World Food Championships Dallas – 3rd place in Finals, 2023 Texas Restaurant Association Rising Star Finalist. Preston has donated considerably of his time and helped raise over $50,000 for local charities. He has participated in many culinary events: Bits and Bites 2022-2023-2024, Arlington Charities, Taste of London 2023, Rio Grande Valley Winery Taste Celebration, Tarrant County Charity Auction, La Casita Dinner Celebration, Texas Chef Association Guest Presenter, and many more. Preston is currently traveling the world, having made an appearance at the 2023 Taste of London Festival as a headline celebrity chef, honing and mastering his culinary craft by staging at some of the world’s best restaurants, several of which include Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants. They include, Chef Giovann Attard with Norma, Chef Henrique with JOIA, Chef Pascal with Club Gascon, Chef Cavita with Cavita, Chef Shaun Hergatt and Simon the Butcher. He recently finished filming for a national TV competition show, the air date will be announced soon.