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Chef Jet Tila

Chef Jet Tila
Los Angeles, California
CULINARY VP: Pei Wei Asian Kitchen
Food Network's Iron Chef America floor reporter

Schwan's Chef Collective Member Since: 2015

Overview

Executive Chef Jet Tila was born and raised in Los Angeles after his parents immigrated to the United States from Thailand. In 1972, his parents opened Bangkok Market, the first Thai market to open in the United States during that time. Jet has attended both French and Japanese culinary schools in the late 1990s. Over the years, he has partnered with Compass Group to open Modern Asian Kitchen locations nationwide, opened the Pacific Cafe at Google headquarters, and holds six World Records.

In 2010, Jet partnered with Schwan's Home Service to create five different Asian-inspired meals specific for home delivery. In 2013, Jet became the first-ever chef to represent his country's culture and cuisine in the United States when he was appointed Culinary Ambassador of Thai Cuisine by the Royal Thai Consul-General in Los Angeles.

Today, he is a chef and partner of Pei Wei Asian Kitchen which has over 160 locations nationwide. He also assists overseeing food service for the NBC Universal backlot and Dreamworks Animation in Los Angeles. Jet is also known for his Food Network appearances on Chopped, Iron Chef America, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Guy's Grocery Games.

Highlights & Awards

  • 2013 National Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month "Dream of Los Angeles" Award by the City of Los Angeles
  • 2013 Appointed Culinary Ambassador of Thai Cuisine
  • Has appeared on Food Network shows Cutthroat Kitchen, Chopped, Iron Chef America, No Reservations, The Today Show

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