HELEN NGUYEN

Saigon Social / Cô Lạc (NYC)

Raised in Seattle with roots in California and Vietnam, Helen Nguyen is a first-generation Vietnamese-American chef whose love for food began in her childhood kitchen, cooking alongside her mother. Influenced by both her cultural heritage and the American surroundings she grew up in, Helen’s path to the professional kitchen was nontraditional. After a successful career in real estate, she moved to New York City to follow her culinary calling and trained for three years on the Feast and Fêtes catering and private events team at Daniel Boulud’s renowned Restaurant Daniel. 

Though classically trained in French technique, Helen’s heart has always been with Vietnamese comfort food. She began blending the two cuisines through monthly pop-ups that celebrated food, culture, and community. In 2020, she was set to open her first restaurant, Saigon Social, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced an immediate pivot. She launched takeout and delivery operations while simultaneously preparing and hand-delivering meals to hospitals and community members through organizations like Heart of Dinner and More Than a Meal - efforts that reflect her own experience growing up in low-income housing. To date, Helen has helped serve over 200,000 meals, and her work with Heart of Dinner has been featured on The Ellen Show, Glamour, and Forbes. 

In March 2022, Helen officially opened Saigon Social for full dine-in service, offering bold, heartfelt Vietnamese dishes with her signature twist. That same year, she was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: New York State and received a two-star review from The New York Times. She is also a recurring guest judge on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay and was featured as a Heritage Hero on Hulu and NBC. 

In May 2024, Helen was inducted into her high school’s Hall of Fame in Seattle and recognized by her alma mater, the Institute of Culinary Education New York City, as a Distinguished Alumni during the school’s 50th anniversary celebration.   

In July 2025, Helen acquired a new restaurant, Van Da by Helen, which is set to officially launch in early September 2025, further expanding her culinary vision and deepening her commitment to Vietnamese cuisine in New York City. 

Helen continues to use food as a powerful tool to build community, honor her roots, and uplift others.