Charles Phan, the acclaimed San Francisco chef and restaurant owner who won two James Beard awards with the innovative food at his Vietnamese restaurant the Slanted Door, has died at age 62, according to his family.

He also expanded his vision to new locations, including a Slanted Door in San Ramon and, more recently, France and Napa.

San Francisco chef Charles Phan, the legendary leader behind the Slanted Door, died unexpectedly on Monday night. He was 62. Phan was 13 when his family escaped Vietnam and moved to the United States.

"He really paved the way for all of us." The community is remembering legendary San Francisco Chef Charles Phan of Slanted Door.