Get to Know Chef Amy Tran

Amy Tran helped bring fresh meal ideas to the Grown Strong community through recipes she developed and tested. This interview celebrates that earlier contribution and the love of cooking behind it.

Amy is a past recipe contributor to Grown Strong and is not currently involved in running the business. Her answers below are from the original interview.

Meet the person behind the recipes

For Amy, cooking was a way to care for friends and family, experiment with flavors, and share food she enjoyed. Her recipes offered our community more variety for everyday meals, from breakfast ideas to dinners worth repeating.

We asked her about her cooking background, favorite foods, and the experiences that shaped her. Here are her original answers.

How did you develop your cooking skills?

I've always loved cooking for my friends and family. Practice and just overall obsession with food is how I got to my skill-level today. Really, I guess I've just always been lucky to have people around me who never say "no" to trying food. :)

What was your favorite recipe to cook, and why?

Anything Vietnamese! Specifically thit kho, it reminds me of my childhood!

What did Grown Strong mean to you?

To me, it means being a bada** and supporting other bada**es. Striving for the best form of yourself and encouraging others around you.

What experience helped shape who you are?

When I turned 18 I decided to move to San Diego. I found CrossFit and a new-found love for health and fitness. This changed my entire lifestyle, and really helped shape my adult-self. Not only that, it helped form some of the closest relationships I have to this day with some really cool people who share similar interests and goals.

If you could eat only one meal, what would it be?

That's a tough question! #1 choice would have to be pho. Close runner-ups being burritos and hot dogs (LOL I don't know why but it's just the truth).

What advice would you give your younger self?

Always take a leap of faith in yourself. You'll never know the limits on what you can achieve unless you try.

Try Amy’s Cinnabun Protein Pancakes

One recipe featured alongside Amy’s interview was her Cinnabun Protein Pancakes. If you’re looking for a breakfast idea to add to your rotation, get the Cinnabun Protein Pancakes recipe for the ingredients and instructions.

Keep exploring in the kitchen

Trying a new recipe can be a simple way to bring variety to your week. Start with a dish you’re excited to eat, adjust it to your preferences, and make it part of your routine if it works for you.

Explore all Grown Strong recipes for more breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas.