Mai Pham is a Vietnamese-American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author. She is best known for her cookbook Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table which won the James Beard Award for best cookbook in the international category in 2004. Pham has been a prominent figure in the restaurant industry for more than 20 years.
Early Life
Mai Pham was born in Vietnam in 1963 and raised in Saigon. Her family fled the country during the Vietnam War and settled in Sacramento, California when she was 12 years old. She attended UC Davis and graduated with a degree in International Relations. After college, she moved to San Francisco and worked as an analyst at an investment bank.
In 1993, Pham decided to pursue her passion for cooking and enrolled in a professional culinary program. She worked in a number of well-known restaurants in the Bay Area before opening her own restaurant, Lemon Grass, in 1995.
Career Accomplishments
In 2004, Pham published her first cookbook, Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table, which won the James Beard Award for best cookbook in the international category. The book was praised for its detailed descriptions of Vietnamese cuisine and the cultural context of the country.
Pham has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, the Today show, and the Food Network. She has also written for publications such as Food & Wine, Gourmet, Bon Appétit, and Saveur. In addition, Pham has been a featured chef at the James Beard House and the Smithsonian Institute.
Personal Life
Pham is currently married to her husband, Randy. They have two children, a daughter and a son. Pham and her family reside in Houston, Texas.
When she is not working, Pham enjoys traveling, gardening, and playing the piano. She is also a keen supporter of the arts, and is a member of the Houston Grand Opera.
Mai Pham is an accomplished chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author. She has made a name for herself in the restaurant industry and beyond, with her award-winning cookbook and numerous television appearances. Pham is an inspiring figure for aspiring chefs and restaurateurs alike.
