Jet Tila Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Height, Children, Restaurants, TV Shows, Books

Jet Tila, born Jet Tilakamonkul is an American celebrity chef, author, restaurateur and television personality whose inventive approach to Pan-Asian cuisine first drew widespread attention when he appeared on Iron Chef America and later as a regular judge on Food Network’s Chopped.

Born and raised in Los Angeles’s Thai Town, he blends classical training with the family traditions he absorbed in his grandmother’s Thai–Chinese kitchens.

Profile

• Full name: Jet Tilakamonkul
• Nickname: Mayor of Thai Town; The Jetster
• Date of birth: February 6, 1975
• Age: 50 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• State of origin: California
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Celebrity chef, author, restaurateur, television personality
• Height: 5′ 6½″ (1.69 m)
• Parents: Pramorte Tilakamonkul and Marasri Tilakamonkul
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Ali Tila
• Children: Amaya Tila and Ren Tila
• Relationship status: Married
• Ethnicity: Thai–Chinese American
• Net worth: USD 4 million

Early Life and Education

Jet Tilakamonkul is now 50 years old. He was born on February 6, 1975 in Los Angeles, California, to (Pramorte Tilakamonkul and Marasri Tilakamonkul) Thai Chinese immigrant parents who arrived separately in the United States in 1966.

His grandmother’s home kitchens in Thai Town introduced him to the diverse flavors of Southern China and Thailand. Although details of his primary and secondary schooling are not publicly available, he later pursued culinary studies at Le Cordon Bleu and the California Sushi Academy, deepening his mastery of both Western and Asian techniques.

Personal Life

Jet Tila met his wife, Allison (Ali) Tila, during a knife-skills class he was teaching at Sur La Table in Los Angeles; they married in 2011 and have two children—a daughter, Amaya, and a son, Ren.

The family resides in Southern California, where they collaborate on various culinary ventures.

Career

After working in his family’s restaurants throughout his youth, Jet Tila launched Melting Pot Food Tours in his early twenties and later developed Wazuzu at Steve Wynn’s Encore in Las Vegas. In 2014, he opened Pakpao Thai in Los Angeles and expanded to Dallas.

Tila serves as restaurant developer for Dragon Tiger Noodle Co. in Nevada and has consulted for chains including Pei Wei Asian Kitchen.

His cookbooks, such as 101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die (2017) and 101 Epic Dishes (2019)—and frequent television appearances on Iron Chef America, Cutthroat Kitchen and Food Network specials have solidified his reputation as a bridge between Eastern and Western culinary traditions.

Awards

• James Beard Foundation nomination, Outstanding Chef, 2020
• Culinary Ambassador for Thailand, Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles, 2013
• Winner, Guy’s Grocery Games “Delivery: All-Star Noodles,” 2021

Net worth

Jet Tila’s net worth is estimated at USD 4 million, earned through his restaurants, television work, cookbooks and culinary consulting.

Social Media

• Instagram: @jettila
• Twitter (X): @jettila
• TikTok: @chefjettila
• YouTube: @jettila

Filmography

• Iron Chef America judge and floor reporter (multiple seasons)
• Chopped judge (Food Network)
• Beat Bobby Flay guest judge
• Guy’s Grocery Games judge and competitor
• Tournament of Champions judge
• Cutthroat Kitchen guest judge
• The Best Thing I Ever Ate guest
• Gods of Food satirical series co-host

Books

• 101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die (2017)
• 101 Epic Dishes: Recipes That Teach You How to Make the Classics Even More Delicious (2019)
• 101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die (2022)