b'CHEF PROFILEBilly NguyenCatching up withthe Top Chef finalistBy Matthew BradfordS tarring in Top Chef Canada was prep work for Billy Nguyen(they/them). Since finishing a close second in the shows ninth season, the Vancouver resident has been firing up their brand as one of the countrys most-wanted private chefs.Its been incredibly busy, Nguyen tells QBiz magazine during a rare moment of free time. While the show was airing, I was the sous chef for PiDGiN in Vancouver, but for the past year Ive been working for myself and doing catering, pop-up restaurants and collabs across the country. Its been nice because I can basically write my own schedule and take time off when I want to.Not that there are many opportunities to catch a breath. When Nguyen isnt designing and preparing custom menus for hungry clients, they are partnering with other notable chefs, joining pop-up restaurants and running all aspects of a private chef venture.Starting a new business is scary, especially when you dont know if youre going to have work for that month or if anyone is going to book you, Nguyen says. I just took two months off for recovery from surgery, which was a struggle. So now Im just getting busy again and trying to make up for thelost time.14| QBiz CANADA | Issue 22022'