b'CHEF PROFILECreating a safe space for trans and queer people in this industry is a big thing for me. And I feel likeI have the platform that now I can try and do that.- BILLY NGUYENId never butchered a fish before, but mySHOWTIME person on TV would attract negativity, first one was apparently perfect. Then IWinning Top Chef wasnt a priority forwhat they received was anything but.ended up butchering whole pigs by myselfNguyen. For them, the invitation to joinIm glad I did [the show] because every week and breaking down animals. the reality show competition was a chanceIve been getting so much feedback and I loved that side of the craft, seeingto delve deeper into their passion andsupport, and Ive never had anything how all the parts of the animal break downmeet others in the industry. negative sent towards me ever since I was and how you can utilize everything, Honestly, I just wanted to cook goodon it, they reflect. Ive even had parents they add. food and put my name out for myself.message me saying Ive helped their kids Nguyen went on to work fine diningI was going to be fine with whateverunderstand what non-binary means, and at Air Canada Centre (now called thehappened during the show. I didnt wantso many people have reached out to me Scotiabank Arena) before moving toto overthink anything, just cook what feelsthrough social media to thank me for Vancouver. After only a short time, theirright to me and have fun with it, being myself and so open.reputation caught the attention of Top ChefNguyen says. Nguyen continues to use social media Canada producers, who reached out with aGoing in, Nguyen knew they wouldto share their personal and professional request to audition for the shows also be in a position of representing thelife with friends and fans. In return, they say, this community has provided support next season. LGBTQ+ communitya responsibilitythrough several recent milestones, At first, I didnt think it was real. Butthey were hesitant to assume. including Nguyens recent surgery and they kept sending me emails, so I said,Im not an activist. Im not tryingname change.Okay, Nguyen recalls. Then I just wentto speak for everyone. I just want to tellI didnt know what to expect when I through the same application everyonemy story, and if people relate to it, thenchanged my name to Billy. Up until then, I else goes throughthe interviews,great, they say. was successful because of the name I had cooking demoand eventually got on And people did relate. While Nguyencreated for myself, and I was worried that [the show]. was worried that being a non-binarychanging it would mean starting from 16| QBiz CANADA | Issue 22022'