UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Food television personality and chef Jet Tila will return to Penn State on Nov. 3-5 to headline several on-campus events.
Tila, who first visited Penn State for a series of events in 2025, is an internationally celebrated culinary expert known for competing on "Iron Chef America" and hosting various Food Network shows. He is a three-time Emmy and James Beard nominee, best-selling author and the inaugural Culinary Ambassador of Thai Cuisine appointed by the Royal Thai Consulate, the first-ever chef to represent his country’s culture and cuisine.
Tila’s culinary portfolio spans restaurants, hospitality and consumer food brands. He is a managing partner in Dragon Tiger Noodle Co. in Las Vegas and has partnered with Live! Casino & Hotel to develop Luk Fu by Jet Tila. He is also a brand partner with Mr. Bing Chili Crisp as well as Compass Group, Schwan’s CJ Foods, HSN and NBCUniversal/DreamWorks, bringing his culinary perspective to restaurants, retail products and audiences nationwide.
“I had a blast at every event last year," Tila said. "My fondest memories are feeding the students and seeing how excited they were to hang out and eat with someone they watch on social media and TV and the warmth of the community.”
Tila collaborated with executive chef Mark Kowalski and other Penn State chefs to select recipes from Tila’s cookbooks that reflect his Chinese and Thai heritage for the various events throughout his three-day visit.
“We are really looking forward to Chef Jet joining us again at Penn State in November,” Kowalski said. “We had a great few days in 2025 and are excited to feature recipes from all his cookbooks so students and the community can enjoy.”
Events
On Nov. 3 Tila will host a dinner buffet takeover from 4:30-9 p.m. at Findlay Dining Commons featuring entrees such as Isaan-style waterfall beef, chicken pad see ew and tofu pad see ew. The dinner is open to the public for $16.75.
On Nov. 4, he will emcee a "culinary throwdown" from 5 to 8 p.m. at Redifer Dining Commons featuring several Penn State chefs, followed by a book signing and photo opportunity.
On Nov. 5, limited tickets with registration required are available for a pair of cooking demos that Tila will host 11 a.m.-noon (pad thai) and 12:15-1:15 p.m. (Mongolian beef) at Pollock Dining Commons.
Additionally, throughout November, Market Pollock’s Asia Kitchen will offer a lunch feature with Tila’s recipes for five-spice pork belly sliders and cucumber seaweed salad.