Anh-Tuan graduated from Virginia Tech with a Degree in Nutrition and then fell down the rabbit hole of the Food and Hospitality Industry for 11 years and became a professional chef that has done everything from wedding cake decorating to fine dining.
Now he’s been on a magical journey down the path of Graphic Design for about 4 years and continues to strive to be the best designer he can be! When he’s not stressing about his place in the universe, he loves spending time with his two cat children, Flaump and Katsu, lifting weights/being active, and binging an unhealthy amount of anime and video games lol.
Which unconventional animal do you wish you could have as a pet?
I would love to have a crow as a pet! Super smart and can hold a grudge for years if you offend them 🙂
In another life, I’m pretty sure I was…
a cat.
Naps whenever and judges people from high places.
Are you a cat person or a dog person?
I love both, but definitely a cat person!
If you started a business, what would it be?
An early morning Bread Bakery (called Holey Bread) that opens only on Sundays and aims at church goers. The tagline for the business is “Come Break Bread with Us” and opens early until we sell out.
Definitely one of those bakeries that when they run out, they run out. (builds more demand and interest, ya know?)
My favorite memory while working at CSM is…
When I first started! That first day was so memorable, its almost as if I can remember it like it was yesterday!
If you were to write a memoir about your life, what would you title it?
The Life and Times of Anh-Tuan Tran: A deep dive into the duality of mankind and existential reality of overthinking everything.
What is a skill you’ve always wanted to learn?
How to play volleyball!
Share three words that your close friends would use to describe you.
Resilient, Funny, Creative
What three items would you bring with you on a deserted island?
A boat, someone who could drive that boat, extra fuel juuuuust in case.
If you could live in a different country for a year, which country would you choose?
Italy would be amazing! Gelato 3x a day!
What is your go-to karaoke song?
Evanescence – Bring Me To Life
If you were a genre of music, what would it be and why?
Pop-Punk because it never was a phase, it’s a lifestyle.
If the company had a mascot, what would it be and why?
A turtle because they are wise, durable, and live a long time 🙂
If you could swap roles with anyone at the company for one day, who would it be?
Dustin because I hear he has a really nice Porsche. (Cries in my 2010 CRV)
If you could make an office rule that everyone had to follow for a day, what would it be?
Everyone has to refer to each other as “Chef” like in The Bear.
What is your favorite type of sandwich?
Imagine with me:
Sautéed Zucchini with fresh garlic, salt, and lemon zest.
Artichoke Spread.
Burrata.
Prosciutto.
Fresh Basil.
All on a perfectly toasted Ciabatta.
yup.
Imagine you are a professional baseball player. What is your introduction song?
Everytime We Touch – Cascada
You can only eat one food again for the rest of your life. What is it?
Hotdogs are pretty amazing.
You are stranded on a remote desert island. Are you alone or with your worst enemy?
Definitely alone. Have you met people?
What is the best piece of advice you have ever gotten at work?
“There are no tears in the kitchen.”