Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Bon Appétit spends a day on the line with Executive Chef Aiguo Yang at Panda Inn, the legendary California restaurant chain that inspired Panda Express. Founded 50 years ago in Pasadena by Andrew and Peggy Cherng and Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, Panda Inn helped define Chinese-American cuisine with iconic dishes like Orange Chicken and Panda Beef. Today, Chef Yang continues that legacy across the restaurant’s four California locations, blending tradition, technique, and the flavors that sparked a nationwide dining phenomenon.
Director: Maria Paz Mendes Hodes
Director of Photography: AJ Young
Editor: Maggie Mei Lin
Talent: Aiguo Yang
Senior Creative Producer: Mel Ibarra
Line Producer: Jamie Rasmussen
Associate Producer: Oadhan Lynch
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Jeanne Tirro
Camera Operator: Mike Maliwanag
Assistant Camera: Seth Craven
Sound Recordist: Justin Fox
Production Assistant: Lauren Boucher; Hollie Oritz
Translator: Casey Dong
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Santamaria
Director, Post Production: Nicholas Ascanio
Supervising Editor: Brandon Henninger
Additional Editor: Rachel Kim
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Director of Content; Production: Ali Inglese
Senior Director; Creative Development: Dan Siegel
Senior Director; Programming : Jon Wise
VP; Head of Video: June Kim
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ABOUT BON APPÉTIT
Bon Appétit is a highly opinionated food brand that wants everyone to love cooking and eating as much as we do. We believe in seasonal produce, properly salted pasta water, and developing recipes that anyone can make at home.
Bon Appétit spends a day on the line with Executive Chef Aiguo Yang at Panda Inn, the legendary California restaurant chain that inspired Panda Express. Founded 50 years ago in Pasadena by Andrew and Peggy Cherng and Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, Panda Inn helped define Chinese-American cuisine with iconic dishes like Orange Chicken and Panda Beef. Today, Chef Yang continues that legacy across the restaurant’s four California locations, blending tradition, technique, and the flavors that sparked a nationwide dining phenomenon.
Director: Maria Paz Mendes Hodes
Director of Photography: AJ Young
Editor: Maggie Mei Lin
Talent: Aiguo Yang
Senior Creative Producer: Mel Ibarra
Line Producer: Jamie Rasmussen
Associate Producer: Oadhan Lynch
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Jeanne Tirro
Camera Operator: Mike Maliwanag
Assistant Camera: Seth Craven
Sound Recordist: Justin Fox
Production Assistant: Lauren Boucher; Hollie Oritz
Translator: Casey Dong
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Santamaria
Director, Post Production: Nicholas Ascanio
Supervising Editor: Brandon Henninger
Additional Editor: Rachel Kim
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Director of Content; Production: Ali Inglese
Senior Director; Creative Development: Dan Siegel
Senior Director; Programming : Jon Wise
VP; Head of Video: June Kim
Want Bon Appétit shirts, hats and more? shop.bonappetit.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_brand=ba&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=video&utm_content=merch-shop-promo
Still haven’t subscribed to Bon Appétit on YouTube? ►► bit.ly/1TLeyPn
Want more Bon Appétit in your life? Subscribe to the magazine! bit.ly/313UWRu
ABOUT BON APPÉTIT
Bon Appétit is a highly opinionated food brand that wants everyone to love cooking and eating as much as we do. We believe in seasonal produce, properly salted pasta water, and developing recipes that anyone can make at home.
