Chef Sammy is the Owner and Partner of Café du Soleil and Bistro, where his thoughtfully crafted menu blends global influences with timeless comfort. His culinary journey began at age 11 in his family’s Vietnamese restaurant located in Djibouti, where he developed a deep appreciation for worldly flavor, technique, and the joy of bringing people together through food.
With over 20 years of experience in professional kitchens across France, Chicago, San Francisco, and the Washington, D.C. area, Chef Sammy has built a career grounded in excellence, creativity, and heart. Before founding Café du Soleil, he served as Sous Chef at Goodwin House, where he led kitchen operations, mentored staff, and curated diverse, high-quality dining experiences and at Cafe Claude and restaurant Gitane on Claude Lane in San Francisco.
At Café du Soleil, Chef Sammy is the creative force behind a menu that fuses French, Mediterranean, and American inspirations into elegant yet approachable fare. Fluent in French, Amharic, and English, he’s known for his leadership, generosity, and commitment to hospitality.
Chef Sammy leads Café du Soleil with one guiding belief: that good food, made with intention, has the power to create community.