South Philly chef Phila Lorn received awards from local legislators after he earned the prestigious 2025 James Beard Award for Emerging Chef.
The award is bestowed to only one chef a year “who displays exceptional talent, character and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.”
Lorn, who is the head chef and co-founder of the highly-popular noodle house Mawn, located at 764 S. 9th St. in the Italian Market, received a visit from state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Ben Waxman and staff from the office of state Sen. Nikil Saval on Aug. 18.
“Mawn and the work of chef Lorn represent everything that South Philly strives to be: lively, colorful, humble, welcoming … and of course full of delicious homestyle cooking,” said Fiedler. “I am so glad that he has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation and is bringing attention to the Philly food scene, which I think is the best in the country.”
The child of immigrants, Lorn is a first generation Cambodian-American who grew up at 7th and Jackson. He and his wife Rachel Lorn opened Mawn in 2023. He will open a second restaurant, Sao, an oyster bar, at 1710 E. Passsyunk Ave. this fall.
“Philadelphia is the proud home of a brilliant and experimental food scene that redesigns flavors from across the globe with the mettle and spirit of our beloved city — and that has been made even richer by chef Lorn,” Saval said. “His restaurant Mawn brings the vibrancy and resiliency of Cambodian culture and people in diaspora to South Philly tables. As a child of immigrants, it’s a special honor to celebrate his achievement, and I look forward to all that he creates next.”