Bay Area/ San Francisco
AI Assisted Icon
Published on January 21, 2025
San Francisco Mourns the Loss of Celebrated Chef Charles Phan of The Slanted Door at Age 62Chef Charles Phan (2004)
Source: Slanted Door

San Francisco's culinary scene suffered a significant loss with the unexpected passing of Charles Phan, the acclaimed chef behind the celebrated Slanted Door restaurants. Phan died of cardiac arrest yesterday, as confirmed by his representatives in an email reported by SF Eater. At the age of 62, his death was both sudden and shocking to the community he helped cultivate.

Born in Vietnam and having arrived in the U.S. at 13, Charles Phan had long been a fixture in the Bay Area's dining scene. With the Slanted Door, he pioneered a new wave of Vietnamese fine dining when it opened in the Mission District in 1995. Phan's innovative spirit didn't stop at just one success. Expanding with a cocktail bar and more restaurant concepts, he continued to push culinary boundaries.

The Slanted Door Group, alongside the Phan family, has assured patrons that the restaurants will continue under their existing management team while they navigate this transition period. The statement, reflecting the Phan family's sentiment, was echoed in Slanted Door's tribute post on Instagram, which remembered Chef Charles as an influential chef and a "beloved leader, visionary, and friend."

Chef Phan was remembered for more than his food; he was known for his lasting generosity. Chef Charles made an impression on all fronts by playing tennis with friends, sharing stories, or just enjoying a warm cup of tea together. Throughout his life, he contributed time and resources to numerous charitable causes. While grieving, a message to the community from the Slanted Door Group on Instagram called upon everyone to honor his legacy by enjoying and sharing family-style meals, just as Charles would have wanted. The Phan family and the Slanted Door Group thanked the community for their support and kindness and asked for privacy as they mourned.