The Best Chef Awards 2025 Chef Sam Tran’s Second One-Knife Recognition

The Best Chef Awards is an annual celebration of creativity, innovation, and excellence in gastronomy. 

Among the 421 chefs honored this year, Chef Sam Tran of Gia Hanoi received a “1 Knife” recognition, marking the second consecutive year her name was called among the world’s most outstanding culinary talents. For Gia, this recognition is more than a title; it is a moment of gratitude—for the faith of our guests, the craft of our team, and the quiet journey of telling Vietnam’s story through every flavor.

Where Visions Meet: The Best Chef Awards 2025

Founded in Milan in 2017, The Best Chef Awards has always stood for something more than ranking. It is a movement that honors culinary thought: where technique meets ethics, creativity meets conscience, and chefs become storytellers of their time.

The 2025 edition took place at East End Studios, Milan—two days alive with dialogue, discovery, and shared inspiration. 972 members of the jury (572 chefs and 400 experts in journalism, academia, and gastronomy) voted to recognize chefs whose work shapes the future of global dining.

This year, instead of traditional rankings, the awards introduced a symbol that felt closer to the heart of the craft: the Knife. One, Two, or Three Knives mark levels of mastery and dedication—a universal language of respect for those who use their hands, time, and conviction to turn ingredients into emotion.

Vietnam In The Conversation. And Gia Among The Voices

For Vietnam, the 2025 edition was a milestone. Seven Vietnamese chefs were recognized for their distinct voices in modern gastronomy — each awarded one Knife for excellence. Their presence signaled not only recognition, but a dialogue that Vietnam is now part of the global conversation on food and culture.

Among them was Chef Sam Tran of Gia Hanoi, whose cuisine has always sought to balance discipline with emotion, modern expression with the spirit of home. It is her second time receiving this honor, and for our team at Gia, the moment is shared — with everyone who has believed in the story we try to tell through Vietnamese flavors.

For Gia, This Is The Moment

To us, this recognition is not about winning but about belonging — being part of a larger conversation that connects cultures and crafts across continents. We see it as an invitation to listen deeper, to refine more gently, to continue the slow work of telling our own story.

Every plate at Gia is a reflection of memory and place — a taste of Vietnam seen through the eyes of a new generation yet rooted in familiar warmth. This moment reminds us why we cook: to share the past, to listen to the present, and to shape what comes next with care.

We Continue The Story, From The World Stage To Our Kitchen, Gia

When the lights of Milan dimmed, our story did not end there. It quietly made its way home to Hanoi to our kitchen on 61 Văn Miếu Street, where flavors continue their gentle conversation with time.

This second Knife is a reminder that recognition and responsibility walk hand in hand. Every service at Gia is an opportunity to honor Vietnam’s culinary identity while remaining curious and open to the world. We cook with gratitude for our guests, our team, and every ingredient that tells the story of this place we call home.

About Chef Sam Tran

Sam Tran — The First Vietnamese Woman to Reach for a MICHELIN Star for Gia

Chef Sam Tran, Co-Founder and Head Chef of Gia Hanoi, is celebrated for her modern interpretation of Vietnamese cuisine rooted in cultural authenticity. Returning to Vietnam after years in international kitchens, she brings a refined, ingredient-driven approach to fine dining. Under her leadership, Gia earned MICHELIN Stars for 3 consecutive years–2023, 2024 and 2025.

Chef Sam Tran was distinguished with MICHELIN Young Chef 2023, and The Best Chef Awards – 1 Knife in both 2024 and 2025.

About Gia

Nestled in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Gia is a contemporary fine dining restaurant proudly listed in the MICHELIN Guide Vietnam. Led by Chef Sam Tran, Gia tells Vietnam’s culinary story through seasonal tasting menus that bridge tradition and innovation. Each dish reflects the restaurant’s philosophy — to honor Vietnamese ingredients, elevate local craftsmanship, and create a dining experience that feels both personal and timeless.

Recognized among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (Top 51–100) and The Best Chef Awards, Gia continues to celebrate Vietnam’s rich gastronomic heritage with modern artistry and quiet confidence.

Book your table to explore the new tasting menu — Artery of Identity / Sinh Mạch — June 2025

→ Reserve your experience at Gia

→ Discover more about Gia: gia-hanoi.com/home