Jet Tila
Jet Tila is a Los Angeles chef, cookbook author and cooking teacher who shares Thai and Chinese flavors through recipes, restaurants and Food Network shows.
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Latest
Jet’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus their backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
- Ready Jet CookHost · Cooking series
Food Network - Food NetworkChef Grudge Match2025 · Resident judge
- 101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die2022 · Co-author with Tad Weyland Fukumoto
Page Street Publishing - Page Street Publishing101 Epic Dishes2019 · Co-author with Ali Tila
- Page Street Publishing101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die2017 · Author
Overview
- From
- Los Angeles, California
- Work
- Chef, cookbook author, cooking teacher and television personality
- Roots
- Thai-Chinese family; grew up working at Bangkok Market and the family restaurant
- Training
- Le Cordon Bleu and California Sushi Academy
- Early break
- Backyard cooking classes attracted the Los Angeles Times
- On screen
- Host of Ready Jet Cook; resident judge on Chef Grudge Match
Mini bio
How it started.
Jet grew up in Los Angeles in a Thai-Chinese family whose food businesses shaped his childhood. His parents opened Bangkok Market in 1972. He stocked shelves and helped customers, while his Cantonese grandmother taught him ingredients and cooking techniques. Work in the family restaurant gave him an early feel for a busy kitchen.
From the backyard to television.
In his twenties, Jet built on that family knowledge with French training at Le Cordon Bleu and study at the California Sushi Academy. His backyard cooking classes caught the attention of the Los Angeles Times, opening a path into food media. A 2011 Iron Chef America battle against Masaharu Morimoto helped launch his Food Network career.
A teacher at heart.
Ready Jet Cook brings Jet’s approach to home kitchens, while Chef Grudge Match places him at the judges’ table. His books follow the same teaching thread: 101 Asian Dishes arrived in 2017, 101 Epic Dishes with his wife and business partner Ali followed in 2019, and 101 Thai Dishes with fellow chef Tad Weyland Fukumoto came out in 2022.
Beyond the screen.
Jet is a managing partner of Dragon Tiger Noodle Co. and the inaugural Culinary Ambassador of Thai Cuisine appointed by the Royal Thai Consulate. His 2026 Luk Fu partnership brings his recipes to restaurants in Philadelphia, Maryland and Louisiana. Campus events also give fans a chance to see him cook and hear the stories behind the dishes.
Creditschronological, newest first
Television
- 2025Chef Grudge MatchResident judge
- 2011Iron Chef AmericaChallenger against Masaharu Morimoto in Battle Seaweed
Books
- 2022101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You DieCo-author with Tad Weyland Fukumoto
- 2019101 Epic DishesCo-author with Ali Tila
- 2017101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You DieAuthor
Restaurants
- 2026Luk Fu by Jet TilaCulinary partner developing signature dishes
Awards
Quotes
I really get the most satisfaction from teaching.Jet Tila, Mashed interview
On finding joy in sharing cooking knowledge and hearing back from people who use it. Source: https://www.mashed.com/610141/jet-tila-talks-food-network-competition-shows-and-thai-food-exclusive-interview/
Trivia
- Anthony Bourdain called him the unofficial mayor of Thai Town.
- His culinary world-record projects include an enormous stir-fry, seafood stew and California roll.
- He and Ali co-created #EatLikeaPro, a livestream segment about navigating ethnic restaurants and ordering food.
- Lunar New Year was the holiday that brought his food-business family together.
Find Jet
Follow Jet for recipes, cooking lessons and a look at life with Team Tila.
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