Our Team
Chefs & Culinary Contributors of 2026
Yoshi Tome of Sushi Ran
A native of Okinawa, Japan, Yoshi Tome came to California in 1981 through a twelve-month teacher exchange program, having earned his bachelor's degree in Japan. What began as a year abroad became a lifelong connection to the United States and the beginning of an extraordinary career in the restaurant industry.Since 1986, Yoshi has been the owner and CEO of Sushi Ran in Sausalito, transforming it from a small sushi bar into one of Northern California's most celebrated restaurants, earning recognition from Michelin, Zagat, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle, and many others.With more than 40 years in the industry, Yoshi has remained deeply committed to his culinary community. He served five terms as president of the Japanese Restaurant Association of Northern California, is a director of the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, and has been an active leader and member of the Asian Chefs Association. In 2022, he received the prestigious Carême Award from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.Phong Nguyen of Pho de Nguyen
Born in Hue, Vietnam, chef Phong Nguyen, along with his wife Jeannie, are the owners of Pho de Nguyen San Bruno since 2018, and Pho de Nguyen SF since 2024. He is passionate about showcasing his family’s cuisine, using high quality ingredients. PdNSF is building community by featuring DJ music, taking care of their staff and customers like family, and opening till 4am. Edward Van Cott of Nyingma Institute
More information coming soon ...Wendy Lieu of Socola Chocolatier
The daughter of Vietnamese refugees who fled Vietnam as Boat People in 1981, Wendy Lieu taught herself to make chocolate truffles at 19 and began selling them at local farmers markets alongside her sister Susan. What started as a passion project grew into Socola Chocolatier — named for the Vietnamese word for chocolate — an award-winning San Francisco chocolatier inspired by Vietnamese heritage, California creativity, and bold, unexpected flavors. Known for fan favorites like durian and phở truffles and the beloved Little Saigon Box, Socola has been featured in Forbes, NBC News, and the San Francisco Chronicle, and has created chocolates for Google, Tiffany & Co., Sephora, and many others.Kenneth Wong of Tea Wanderer
Growing up in a traditional Chinese household, Kenneth Wong developed an early appreciation for tea through the daily ritual of his immigrant father brewing tea from their hometown. Inspired by these memories and a lifelong fascination with tea, Kenneth founded Tea Wanderer, a small studio devoted to exploring and sharing the art of tea crafting. After choosing to follow his passion beyond conventional career paths, he immersed himself in the world of tea, traveling in search of distinctive varietals and the qualities that make each tea unique. Today, his carefully curated collection reflects a particular fascination with oolong, celebrated for its complexity of aroma and flavor. Through Tea Wanderer, Kenneth seeks to capture the character of the mountains and their unique microclimates in every brew, sharing the depth, warmth, and artistry of tea with others.