Fresh Plates Dinner: Steve Jou

From the venue:

Enjoy a fun evening dining, sipping and learning as Steve Jou prepares a four-part small plate menu. Learn new recipes and taste freshly prepared courses and wine.
Schedule: Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Fee: $100 (Members $95)
Deadline: One week before session
join the waitlist

About Chef Steve Jou
I was born and raised in Taiwan, surrounded by the rich traditions of Chinese cooking. For me, food has always been more than just nourishment—it’s a passion that’s shaped my life from the very beginning. Some of my earliest memories are of my home filled with the warm, comforting smells of my family’s cooking, sparking a love for the art and soul behind every dish I create. 
My journey truly began with my grandfather, a bold entrepreneur who moved our family to Incheon, Korea, nearly 70 years ago. There, he opened Pyng-Ho, a bustling Chinese restaurant that became an iconic gathering place, serving up to 1,200 guests at a time. Growing up in that vibrant kitchen, I absorbed everything—the skills, the flavors, the rhythm of a bustling restaurant in full swing. Those experiences became the foundation of my culinary career.
Our family’s story took another turn when we moved to Costa Rica. I spent two unforgettable years there, discovering new ingredients and blending fresh flavors into my cooking – bridging together two cultures that transformed my culinary creations to another level. 
But my appetite to learn more eventually led me to the U.S., where I spent ten transformative months in San Francisco, honing my craft and expanding my culinary creativity. Still, it wasn’t until I found myself in the warm, welcoming community of Decatur, Georgia, that everything truly came together.
On December 26, 1979, I opened Pyng Ho in Decatur—a tribute to my grandfather and the generations of culinary tradition that shaped me. Over the next 40 years, Pyng Ho became more than just a restaurant; it became a home for the community, a place where authentic Chinese flavors met innovation of my past in Costa Rica, Korea and San Francisco, and where countless memories were made around the table.
When Pyng Ho closed its doors on December 21, 2023, it marked the end of an era—but also the start of something new.
Now, I’ve embraced a fresh chapter as a personal chef, bringing my decades of experience and deep love for cooking to a more intimate level. Every dish I create reflects my journey—from Taiwan to Korea, Costa Rica, and the U.S.—blending tradition with new inspiration to bring joy to every meal.
As I move forward, I carry with me the legacy of Pyng Ho and all the lessons I’ve learned along the way. My passion for cooking is as strong as ever, and I’m excited for this next adventure—connecting with people in new, personal ways and celebrating the universal language of food and the happiness it brings to life.