Chef Tiana Gee: Blending Heritage, Soul, and Kikkoman in Every Bite
Chef Tiana Gee: Blending Heritage, Soul, and Kikkoman in Every Bite
At her SoulPhil pop-up in Los Angeles, Chef Tiana Gee brings together the bold, comforting flavors of her Filipino roots and Southern soul food upbringing in a way only she can — with color, spice, and heart. This summer, over four days at Bar Band-Aid (August 13–16, 2025), she served dishes that celebrated her heritage through modern technique and soulful creativity.
One crowd favorite was her Kinilaw, a bright, raw Filipino-style ceviche that layers citrus and coconut with a touch of Kikkoman® Gluten-Free Tamari Soy Sauce for rich umami depth. Another menu standout, her Collard Green Salad with Crispy Chicken Skins, reimagined a Southern classic with tamarind vinaigrette, fresh herbs, and golden chicken skins coated in Kikkoman® Panko Bread Crumbs for that perfect crunch. Both dishes showcase how Kikkoman has long been a staple in Chef Tee’s kitchen — a familiar ingredient she uses to bring balance, depth, and character to her food.
Inspired by Tradition, Elevated by Flavor
As Chef Tee explains, Kikkoman has always been more than a pantry ingredient — it’s a bridge between the flavors she grew up with and the ones she’s redefining today. “When you’re blending two cultures, umami is what ties everything together,” she says. “Kikkoman’s depth gives me the foundation to experiment without losing authenticity.”
At SoulPhil, that philosophy comes to life in every dish — where flavor meets storytelling and technique meets emotion. Through recipes like Kinilaw and her Collard Green Salad, Chef Tee reminds other chefs that the most powerful innovations often start with the ingredients that feel most like home.
Kinilaw, the SoulPhil Way
Watch the demo to see how Chef Tiana Gee creates her Filipino-meets-Southern-style ceviche, packed with citrus, coconut, and Kikkoman umami.
Kinilaw (Filipino-Style Ceviche)
Bright, refreshing, and full of depth, Chef Tiana Gee’s kinilaw balances citrus, coconut, and a splash of Kikkoman® Gluten-Free Tamari for the perfect umami kick.
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Collard Green Salad with Crispy Chicken Skins
A soulful twist on a Southern staple, this salad combines tender collards, fresh herbs, tangy tamarind vinaigrette, and golden, crunchy chicken skins.
