Helene An | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Vietnames Version April 12, 1944 |
| Occupation(s) | Restaurateur, cookbook writer |
| Spouse | Danny An (d. 1965) |
| Children | 5; including Hannah An, Elizabeth An, Monique An, Jacqueline An, and Catherine An |
Helene An (---) (born April 12, 1944) is a Vietnamese-American chef, restaurateur and cookbook author known as the "Mother of Fusion Cuisine." She introduced Vietnamese cooking to mainstream America with her innovative AN's Famous Garlic Noodles®. Helene was honored by the Smithsonian in 2007 and 2019, the Asian Hall of Fame in 2022, and the California Hall of Fame 17th class in 2024. Her legacy continues through her family's restaurant business, House of AN.
Personal Life
editHelene An was born in 1944 in Hanoi, Vietnam, into a family of Mandarin aristocratic lineage. Raised in an environment of privilege, her family home had three private chefs specializing in French, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisines, profoundly shaping her culinary style. In her twenties, she married Danny An, a South Vietnamese Air Force pilot from a prominent industrialist family. The Fall of Saigon in 1975 forced Helene to flee with her three daughters, eventually reuniting with her husband in the Philippines before settling in San Francisco.[1]
Career
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In 1971, Helene's mother-in-law, Diana An, purchased a small Italian deli in San Francisco, later named Thanh Long.[2] Facing initial struggles, Helene adapted her recipes to suit the American palate, creating a unique blend of flavors that resonated with customers. She transformed the deli into the first Vietnamese restaurant in the city, introducing a blend of French, Vietnamese, and Chinese elements that laid the foundation for fusion cuisine. Her signature dish, AN's Famous Garlic Noodles®, quickly became a culinary sensation. Observing the American palate's love for Italian pasta and her own appreciation for garlic, she created Garlic Noodles—a fusion of Italian and Asian flavors.
This innovation led to the restaurant's expansion from 24 seats to 240 seats. In 1991, the family opened Crustacean San Francisco, followed by Crustacean Beverly Hills in 1997. AnQi Bistro opened in Costa Mesa in 2009, and in 2010, Tiato, a garden cafe, had its grand opening in Santa Monica.[3] The new Crustacean San Francisco is set to open in the summer of 2024, followed by Crustacean Jeddah in the fall of 2024.[4]
Recognition
editHelene An's contributions to the culinary world have been widely recognized. In 1981, Michael Bauer, Restaurant Critic for The San Francisco Chronicle, dubbed her the “Mother of Fusion Cuisine.” The Smithsonian Institution awarded her a Pioneer Award in Culinary Arts in 2007 and again in 2019 for her role in introducing Vietnamese cuisine to mainstream America. Helene’s book, "An: To Eat," published in 2016, showcases 100 renowned recipes and highlights her incredible culinary journey.[5] In 2022, she was inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame. Additionally, she was recognized by the California Hall of Fame as part of its 17th class in 2024 for her significant impact on American culinary culture.[1]
Secret Kitchen®
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Helene An took measures to protect her unique recipes by constructing a second kitchen within her restaurant, sealed off to everyone but her immediate family. This small space is where Helene An, her daughters, and other family members prepare Crustacean’s signature dishes, including roasted crab, garlic noodles, and tiger prawns. This "Secret Kitchen®" ensures the confidentiality of her prized recipes and contributes to the mystique and uniqueness of her culinary creations.[6]
At all House of AN restaurants, the private kitchen is inconspicuously set at the back of the house, connecting to the restaurant’s main prep area with a passthrough window resembling a stainless-steel bookshelf.[7] The recipe for garlic noodles remains a closely guarded An family secret, prepared only in this “Secret Kitchen®.” Helene An’s daughter, Monique, mentioned that the experience of fleeing their homeland taught Helene to be protective, emphasizing the value of knowledge over material possessions.[8]
The secretive nature of the kitchen is akin to Colonel Sanders' closely guarded recipe for KFC. The 'Secret Kitchen®' trademark was first used in commerce on September 30, 2001, and officially registered on June 1, 2004.[9] Helene's dedication to protecting her recipes also led to attempts to trademark 'garlic noodles' to prevent imitators. Although the initial application was rejected, the An family subsequently filed for a trademark under 'AN’s Famous Garlic Noodles®,' a more specific name listed on their menu. This trademark was first used in commerce on July 1, 2008, and officially registered on April 6, 2010.[10][11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Helene An". California Museum. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "ThanhLong – San Francisco Restaurant – Roast Crab & Garlic Noodles | The first An family restaurant and home of their Secret Kitchen with Famous Roast Crab & Garlic Noodles". thanhlongsf.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "A Vietnamese Kitchen's Legacy: A Fusion of Food and History | New University | UC Irvine". October 17, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ "The Collection - Crustacean Beverly Hills". August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ "Cookbook of the week: 'An: to eat'". Los Angeles Times. May 20, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "If These Prawns Could Talk..." The Wall Street Journal. October 2, 1996.
- ^ Guerrero, Susana (January 31, 2023). "Thanh Long uses secret San Francisco kitchen for its famous garlic noodles". SFGATE.
- ^ "The Secret Origin of Thanh Long's Vietnamese Garlic Noodles". The San Francisco Standard. December 9, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ "Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR)". The United States Patent and Trademark Office.
- ^ "That's Using Your Noodle". Los Angeles Business Journal. June 11, 2006. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR)". The United States Patent and Trademark Office.