Nini Nguyen Biography
Nini Nguyen is an American New York-based chef, instructor, recipe developer, and TV personality best known for appearing on Bravo TV’s Top Chef.
Her cooking style combines her Vietnamese heritage with the vibrant, Creole-influenced flavors of New Orleans.
Beyond Top Chef, Nini has appeared in other televised culinary competitions and tournaments, including Food Network events and Tournament of Champions entries.
Nini Nguyen Age
Nguyen was born on June 4, 1987, in Vietnam. She is 39 years old as of 2025.
Early Life and Education
Nguyen was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, into a family with Vietnamese roots. Her grandmother played a big role in cultivating her early love of cooking.
She initially pursued a Business degree at Louisiana State University (LSU). After graduating, she went into culinary work and training including time at top kitchens like Coquette in New Orleans and the famous Michelin-star restaurant Eleven Madison Park in New York.
” I have used the knowledge I learned at LSU every day, and my business degree from LSU has helped me tremendously throughout my career so far. I have always been entrepreneurial, and the skills that I have because of LSU has helped me excel in my career,” Nguyen said.
Nini Nguyen Family
Nguyen’s parents and grandparents went to the USA in the 1970s as refugees from the Vietnam War and settled in New Orleans. She said they settled in New Orleans because “fishing was something the Vietnamese people knew how to do for work.
“I think the French influence was also another comforting factor as to why so many Vietnamese people chose New Orleans. If you go to the French quarters of Hanoi, you would see a huge resemblance between Vietnam and New Orleans.”
Nini Nguyen Husband
There is no information about Nguyen’s dating history. She is not yet married, but it is also not known if she is dating either.
Nini Nguyen Career
Nguyen started out her career as a pastry cook at restaurants like Coquette & Eleven Madison Park. Later on, she moved into savory cooking with the touring pop-up, Dinner Lab.
She combines her Vietnamese heritage and NOLA flair into a unique cooking style. Nguyen also loves teaching and mentoring other cooks. She taught at Cook Space, a recreational cooking school in Brooklyn, where she developed the culinary program.
Nini Nguyen Top Chef
Nguyen competed in Bravo TV’s reality show, Top Chef, in its 16th season in Kentucky. She was, however, eliminated during Restaurant Wars after being in front of the house.
When asked what inspired her to compete on Top Chef, Nguyen revealed that years back, the show was interested in casting her, but her brother was terminally ill with cancer. She, therefore, did not want to compete so that she could spend time with her brother. Her brother, however, made her promise that she would try out again, and she did.
Nguyen will be returning for season 17 of Top Chef alongside other returning contestants like Eric Adjepong.
Cookbook & recipe work
Nguyen published her first cookbook, Đặc Biệt: An Extra-Special Vietnamese Cookbook, in August 2024. The book collects her contemporary Vietnamese recipes and a handful of New Orleans-inflected dishes such as Southeast-Asian jambalaya and sticky fried shrimp bánh mì. Reviewers praised the book.
Last Bite Hotel
In 2024, Nini won the Food Network competition Last Bite Hotel, a show that combines culinary tests with the pressure of serving demanding chef-guests and producing memorable “last bite” dishes.
Nini Nguyen Net Worth
Information about Nini’s net worth is not publicly available.
Nini Nguyen Instagram
Fun Facts About Nini Nguyen
- Nini Nguyen once cooked for Michelle Obama’s team. Before joining Top Chef, Nini worked at several high-profile restaurants and even helped prepare dishes for an event attended by former First Lady Michelle Obama’s staff.
- She’s known for her signature “Vietnamese Gumbo.” This dish perfectly represents her New Orleans upbringing and Vietnamese roots.
- Nini is also a talented baker. Aside from cooking, she’s passionate about pastry and often shares baking tutorials on her social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nini Nguyen
Where is Nguyen from?
She was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Vietnamese immigrant parents.
What is Nguyen famous for?
Nini gained recognition for her creativity and bold flavors on Top Chef and for representing Vietnamese-American cuisine with modern flair.
What season of Top Chef was Nguyen on?
She first appeared on Top Chef: Kentucky (Season 16) and later returned for Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. (Season 17).
Is Nguyen married?
Nini keeps her personal life private and has not publicly shared details about her romantic relationships.