Hello. My name is Allen.

My name is Allen Tran, and I am a graduate student pursuing two Master’s degrees at the University of Utah, one M.S. in Nutrition with an emphasis in Sports Nutrition, and another M.S. in Exercise & Sports Science with an emphasis in Wellness Coaching. I have nearly completed the requirements for both programs and plan to graduate in May 2013 and sit for the Registered Dietitian Exam shortly afterwards.

Food has been the passion of my life, as shown from my diverse path from studying food science and foodservice management as an undergrad, to working various restaurant cook positions, eventually becoming part of the acclaimed service staff of the French Laundry Restaurant in Napa Valley, CA. There I worked among the best culinary and wine professionals in the world, and was immersed in a culture of blending artisanal ingredients with cutting-edge cooking techniques.

Nutrition has also been lifelong interest of mine, as I learned the value of nutrition from my family participating in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program for disadvantaged households when I was a child. Consequently after two years at TFL, I made the decision to leave the restaurant industry to pursue a Master’s degree in nutrition to become a dietitian, integrating my passion for food with health & wellness. Indeed, physical fitness is as important as nutrition so I began pursuing coursework in Exercise & Sports Science to complement my skills as a nutrition specialist.

Originally from Chicago, my other interests include Olympic weightlifting, yoga, travel, world culture, and outdoor adventure.