Chef Vince Bugtong grew up in San Jose, CA. After receiving his Associate’s Degree for Baking & Pastry at  Sunnyvale’s Art Institute in 2016, he started working in the Financial District of San Francisco with the mentorship and guidance of Katherine Campecino-Wong at Michael Mina’s Route Nationale 74, and Mourad Lahlou’s 1-star Michelin, Mourad.

He continued his culinary career when he was offered the Pastry Sous at La Folie and quickly earned a promotion to Pastry Chef. Then, he was a part of the opening team at Breadbelly in San Francisco as Pastry Sous Chef. Later, he moved to Viridian, in Oakland, where he was promoted from Pastry Sous to Executive Pastry Chef, beginning to really express his personal style with Asian flavor combinations, innovation, and versatility. He’s currently working under Chef Francis Ang’s restaurant Abacá in San Francisco. His hard work, experience, and attention to detail earned him nominations for Star Chefs’ Rising Star Award & shortlisted for James Beard’s Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker for 2023.