Chen Jinghe was born in Kaifeng in 1926. He went to school with his father at the age of 13 and was able to operate independently at the age of 17. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he worked as a chef in hotels such as Shilefang and Youyixin in Kaifeng. In 1978, he was transferred to the head chef of Songdu Hotel in Kaifeng, and successively served as the director of catering department, deputy general manager and honorary manager of the hotel. In 1984, he was awarded the national first-class cook, and in 1987, he was elected as the cooking assistant. In 1989, he was awarded the National Commercial Super Model Worker, and was once a member of the Standing Committee of the Seventh and Eighth People's Congress in Kaifeng.