Chef Hung Huynh at ChefDance 2012

Chung Huynh's commitment to classic french and asian cuisine began during childhood, when he was first introduced to the culinary craft at his family’s restaurant in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Chef Huynh officially began his culinary training at age nine in the family’s restaurant under his mother Tran Thuong.

Growing up, Chef Huynh supported himself in high school by cooking at the Red Lion Inn and Wheatleigh Hotel in Lenox, Massachusetts. Unable to afford cooking school, Huynh took a job in Puerto Rico at a Teppanyaki Restaurant, entertaining customers with a phony asian accent and dazzling knife skills. his performances ultimately paid off – his stint in Puerto Rico eventually funded his education at the culinary institute of America (cia.)

After graduating from the cia in 2002, Chef Huynh worked his way through many of manhattan’s top kitchens including that of Lespinasse and per se. in 2006, he moved to Las Vegas to work as executive sous chef at the iconic eatery, guy savoy. In 2007, on a whim, Chef Huynh attended an open casting call for season three’s “Top Chef” and was chosen to compete in bravo tv’s reality cooking show, ultimately gaining the title of top chef against 15 hand-selected culinary professionals from around the country.

Since winning the top chef title, Chef Huynh has traveled around the world, cultivating his knowledge of all different types of cuisines. chef hung Huynh has been featured in publications around the country, including food & wine, in touch, people, new york magazine, new york times, new york post, and new york daily news. Huynh has made numerous television appearances including on the today show.

Upon his return to new york, Huynh served briefly as a culinary consultant to various Manhattan restaurants before teaming up with emm group to helm what would become his permanent project, catch. Since its September opening, catch inhabits the landmark building on the corner of 13th and 9th, in the heart of Emm group’s home in the meatpacking district. Unlike the clear three-course model that defined traditional fine dining, catch will foster a more relaxed and social approach with food hitting the table in a steady stream of shareable cuisine. Paired with the restaurant’s innovative model of dining, Huynh ’s globally influenced style and technique introduced catch as a unique culinary presence amongst new york city’s most established eateries.

About ChefDance

Every winter the world's most affluent individuals and list of influential media descend upon Park City, Utah for the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. In 2004, Kenny Griswold created the first inaugural ChefDance Festival to coincide with Sundance, providing the perfect marriage of find food and film. An all-star line up of guest and celebrity chefs fly into Park City for one designated evening to prepare dinner for 250 attendees. It's a culinary experience unlike any other. This year's event schedule is as follows:

Jan 23, 2012 Monday
Chef Donatella Arpaia, Iron Chef Judge
Film: Spike Lee’s “Red Hook Summer”

Jan 24, 2012 Tuesday
Chef Elio Scanu, Zucca, Winner of Utah Chef Competition
Films: “Sleepwalk with Me”

After-Chefdance BET Party: Special performance provided by BET

[Information and image courtesy: ChefDance2012]