Aug. 29, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Phong Nguyen’s training at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education has allowed him to share the dishes from his native Vietnam with West Michigan.
Nguyen opened Monsoon Vietnamese Cuisine at Monroe Center this summer – “a dream come true for me.” But he began working on that dream as a GRCC culinary student.
“I appreciated how hands-on the program was,” he said. “I was able to practice my knife skills and my cooking skills every day. All the teachers and instructors were super friendly and helpful!”
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Nguyen, who arrived in the United States in 2013, earned an associate degree in culinary arts in 2017 and then transferred to Ferris State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration and management.
“It was a good deal since all of my courses from the culinary arts were transferable,” he said. “I was able to get my bachelor’s degree in two years!”
Nguyen’s experience includes work in many kitchens in Grand Rapids and Indiana. He has prepared meals for a senior living community, a catering company and in private homes.
He continued to plan for his own restaurant someday. He, Tai Nguyen, Kevin Nguyen and Thuan Truong formed Vietbrothers Restaurant LLC and celebrated the launch of Monsoon this summer.
“The many years of hard work, dedication and finding funds to open my restaurant paid off!” Phong Nguyen said.
“The GRCC Culinary Arts program helped me significantly for who I have become and equipped me with the skills I needed to succeed.”
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