Phuong Hoang Chiang

Phuong Hoang Chiang is the human Cantonese-style wok chef in Chef vs. Robot, working at Ting Wong. The Planet Money episode says he has 13 years of chef experience, earns $35 an hour, can produce roughly 20 to 30 dishes per hour, and has won a chef competition in Guangdong province.

In the source, Phuong represents the craft side of the automation test. His cooking demonstrates Wok Hei, high-heat timing, sauce control, and sensory judgment that Robby Wokbot can imitate only partly. He wins two of the three taste-test dishes.

Connections

• Ting Wong and Judy Huang - restaurant and co-owner presenting his skill.
• Shola Olunloyo - judge evaluating his dishes against Robby’s.
• Wok Hei - culinary concept his cooking demonstrates.
• Restaurant Automation and Robot Chef Cost-Quality Tradeoff - economic pressure his craft is tested against.