Phila Lorn

2025 Food & Wine Best New Chef

Phila Lorn is a Philadelphia native who has been part of the city’s food scene for over two decades. He has never cooked more than a couple miles from where he grew up. Named after his city, Phila (pronounced pee-la, a broken-English shorthand for Philadelphia, coined by his mom) was named “Emerging Chef” by the James Beard Foundation Awards and a “Best New Chef” by Food & Wine magazine in 2025.

With his wife and business partner, Rachel, he owns and operates two restaurants in South Philadelphia. Their first, Mawn was listed on The New York Times’ “Top 25 Restaurants” and “23 Best Restaurant Dishes in America” in 2025. Their second and newest venture, Sao, is a Southeast Asian comfort–inspired oyster bar that opened in late summer 2025. Monthly reservations for both spots are booked up within minutes, a true testament to his talent, Rachel’s innate hospitality, and the dedication and hard work of the entire team.

Today, they live in South Philly with their four-year-old son, Otis, whose current favorite foods are smoked trout roe and lump crab fried rice.