NASHVILLE HEAT. ASIAN SOUL. TORONTO MADE.

MEET CHEF CHEN

Born in China and raised in Nashville, Chen Chen grew up immersed in the bold flavors and genuine hospitality that define Southern cooking. Inspired by the city's food culture, he later moved to Toronto, where he studied Culinary Arts and Small Business Entrepreneurship at George Brown College. While in school, he developed the business plan that would become Chen Chen's Nashville Hot Chicken.

Before opening his own restaurant, Chen cooked at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, helping serve thousands of guests around the clock. The fast-paced environment reinforced the discipline, consistency, and teamwork that continue to shape the way his kitchens operate today.

In 2019, Chen brought his business plan to life by launching Chen Chen's Nashville Hot Chicken as a pop-up in Toronto, introducing authentic Nashville hot chicken with his own chef-driven Asian influences. The concept quickly gained a loyal following, leading to the opening of its first permanent restaurant in 2021. In 2024, Chen Chen's was recognized by Yelp as the #1 Place to Eat in Canada.

Today, Chen Chen's Nashville Hot Chicken continues to bring an authentic taste of Nashville to Toronto, combining traditional Southern techniques with bold Asian-inspired flavors. Every piece of chicken is prepared from scratch using high-quality ingredients—a reflection of Chen's belief that great food starts with quality ingredients, thoughtful execution, and genuine hospitality.