PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia chef has been named one of the James Beard Foundation’s 2026-27 TasteTwenty chefs, a national group of culinary professionals recognized as “ones to watch” in the independent restaurant industry.
The foundation said the chefs were selected not only for culinary talent but also for their work beyond the kitchen, including efforts such as supporting sustainable agriculture, investing in restaurant teams, elevating quality ingredients and advocating for a stronger food system.
Chef Phila Lorn was recognized for his work at Mawn, a Cambodian and Southeast Asian noodle house. Lorn was recognized alongside chefs from around the country.
A first-generation American, Lorn's parents and siblings came to Philadelphia as refugees after surviving the war in Cambodia in 1985. He and his wife, Rachel, worked in restaurants together and separately before found Mawn.
Mawn means "chicken" in Khmer — Cambodia's national language. For Lorne, chicken was part of every meal growing up. And to his parents, chicken represented peacetime.
The James Beard Foundation, a New York-based nonprofit named for the late chef and food writer James Beard, is one of the country’s most influential culinary organizations. The foundation say it promotes a more equitable, sustainable and resilient independent restaurant industry after long facing criticism for a lack of racial and gender diversity in its awards.
Mawn is located at 764 S. 9th St.
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