An Evening with Chef Tu David Phu, a San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chef: SF Design Week Fundraiser

We believe some of the most meaningful connections happen around food. Join us in supporting San Francisco Design Week by reserving your spot for an intimate reception with acclaimed Chef Tu David Phu. All proceeds benefit San Francisco Design Week.

Enjoy a thoughtfully curated evening with a small circle of local design leaders—taste Chef Tu’s evocative menu, hear the personal journey behind his celebrated work, and take home a signed copy of his cookbook, The Memory of Taste.

Chef Tu and our CEO, Dawn Zidonis, first connected during a San Francisco Design Week event years ago—a friendship that blossomed through a shared passion for culture, creativity, and community. Their continued collaboration is proof that San Francisco Design Week sparks lasting relationships that enrich our design ecosystem.

This special evening marks the close of our 19th Edition and helps fuel our vision for the future as we begin planning our 20th Anniversary in 2026.

Due to the intimate nature of this event, only a small amount of tickets are available.

Included in the ticket price: The Memory of Taste Recipe Book, Meet-n-greet with Chef Tu, Catered by Gigi’s, Wine.

ABOUT CHEF TU DAVID PHU:

Chef Tu David Phu, a San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chef and chef-partner at GiGi’s, a Vietnamese-influenced wine bar in San Francisco, draws on his Oakland upbringing and the resilience of his refugee parents. His roots trace back to Phu Quoc, Vietnam, where his family has crafted artisanal fish sauce since 1895.

Chef Phu’s culinary expertise is a testament to his diverse experiences. He honed his skills in the hallowed kitchens of renowned establishments, ranging from New York’s internationally acclaimed Daniel to San Francisco’s prestigious 2-star Michelin restaurant, Acquerello. Throughout his career, he absorbed the essence of various culinary traditions, from American culinary excellence to classical European techniques. Yet, a profound connection to what he calls “the memory of taste” led him back to his Vietnamese roots.

Embarking on a culinary exploration of his mother’s treasured recipes, Chef Tu revisited cherished childhood dishes and embarked on pilgrimages to Vietnam for inspiration. His innovative Vietnamese-California cuisine began to garner recognition in 2016 with his weekly pop-up dining experience, “Ăn.” In 2017, the San Francisco Chronicle crowned him as a Rising Star Chef, marking the beginning of a series of accolades.

Chef Tu’s culinary journey expanded its horizons when he joined Bravo’s Top Chef Season 15 in 2019 and hosted ABC’s Taste Buds: Chefsgiving, a program that received a James Beard Award nomination. Currently, he is co-authoring his first cookbook, titled “THE MEMORY OF TASTE,” alongside James Beard Journalism Award winner Soleil Ho, a prominent figure in the culinary world.

“The Memory of Taste” is not just a cookbook; it’s a celebration of inheritance. It delves into Chef Tu David Phu’s journey as a chef, emphasizing the invaluable culinary lessons passed down by his parents, refugees from Phu Quoc. These lessons encompass frugality, zero-waste cooking, and practical gill-to-fin eating. The cookbook features a playful collection of California-Vietnamese dishes like tuna summer rolls and 7-Up nuoc cham, seamlessly integrating Chef Tu’s ambitious and modern culinary style with the food wisdom that nurtured him.

Registration:

Register through the San Francisco Design Week platform to attend this event. If you’d like to attend but are not attending San Francisco Design Week, or want to donate an additional amount for more benefits, or invite a friend, visit our other fundraiser page for this event.

Can’t attend but still want to contribute?

Make a donation here! We appreciate your support for Design Bay Area: San Francisco Design Week, Design Healdsburg, Silicon Valley Design Week