A few weeks ago I read an article about first-generation Cambodian-American chef Phila (pronounced pee-LAH) Lorn, who runs a restaurant called Mawn (Khmer for “chicken”) in Philadelphia.
Where did Chef Phila’s first name come from?
“[H]is parents and siblings came to Philadelphia as refugees in 1985 after surviving the war in Cambodia.” As the first family member born in the U.S., he was named Phila — “broken English for Philadelphia.”
Not long after the article came out, Phila Lorn won the 2025 James Beard Award for Emerging Chef.
Sources:
- Tang, Terry. “Cambodian American chefs are finding success and raising their culture’s profile. On their terms.” AP News 29 May 2025.
- About Us – Mawn
Image: Adapted from City hall Philadelphia by R. Hood Photography under CC BY-SA 4.0.
