TPAK: Denver

Chef Thach Tran (whose first name is pronounced “Ta”) first fell in love with food on the streets of his birthplace in Saigon, Vietnam. At just seven years old, Thach began washing dishes at his grandmother's noodle restaurants, where she patiently taught him to appreciate the intricacies of good food. When Thach was nine years old, his grandmother sold her restaurants and moved the family to the U.S., hoping to find a better life. The convenience foods that were Thach’s first introduction to American cuisine left him feeling disappointed and confused. Thach began to study Western cooking, hoping to achieve a better understanding of American cuisine. In 2010, Thach graduated from the culinary program at Johnson & Wales University. In August of 2016, he became the Executive Chef of Ace Eat Serve in Uptown. The lively dining room, ping-pong hall, bar and patio perfectly complement Thach's creative, interactive and authentically inspired culinary creations. At Ace, Chef Thach has the opportunity to share his passion and experience cooking both Asian and American cuisine with the Denver dining community.

Vesta, Steuben’s and Ace Eat Serve are one big family with nearly 300 members. On the surface, the worlds of Vesta, Steuben’s and Ace are entirely different, but a common thread of incredible people, delicious food and positive vibes make these restaurants sisters that share the “Secret Sauce”. Currently, Jenny heads the “Secret Sauce Serves”, a hands-on community outreach program for our staff of over 300 people. Every month we volunteer at a local non-profit organization serving communities such as homeless youth and women, people with life-threatening illnesses and underserved children in Denver.