Sipping a cup of flavorful Vietnamese tea in her restaurant, Lily Hoa Nguyen recalls the difficult times before becoming the successful culinary entrepreneur she is today. For the chef, the "powerful boost" is her love for food and her strong connection with the Vietnamese community.
In 2012, Lily Hoa Nguyen got married and moved to Istanbul, Türkiye, with her husband. To introduce Vietnamese cuisine to foreigners, she started teaching cooking classes.
The classes were very popular because they taught "authentic Vietnamese dishes that are delicious and healthy." In 2016, Lily Hoa Nguyen and her husband moved to Dubai. She continued teaching cooking for two years.
Vietnamese-American chef Lily Hoa Nguyen. Photo: CATETERMIDDLEEAST.COM
When the first Vietnamese Foodies restaurant opened in 2018, Lily Hoa Nguyen faced so many obstacles that it had to close on the fourth day after opening. After overcoming these difficulties and stabilizing, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, causing a 70% drop in revenue.
The female chef sought to increase orders by including handwritten thank-you notes with the food. Lily Hoa Nguyen's thoughtful gesture became a source of encouragement for customers during the pandemic. The heartwarming result is that she now owns five restaurants in Dubai!
Lily Hoa Nguyen feels proud that Vietnamese food enthusiasts are helping many people in Dubai discover the delicious dishes of their homeland. She said, "I feel we are an example of how Vietnamese food can contribute to the international market."
Meanwhile, in the United States, chef Viet Pham's culinary journey is quite different. Viet Pham told Tasting Table: "I didn't cook any Vietnamese dishes initially. I only started using Asian ingredients, specifically Vietnamese ingredients, in the last 10 years."
Vietnamese-born chef Viet Pham. Photo: TASTING TABLE
Over time, Viet Pham's perspective and approach to cuisine have evolved. He shared, "Now that I'm more mature, my foundation, my legacy, is a sense of my own identity."
A prime example is his use of fish sauce in cooking. Viet Pham says, "Fish sauce has truly become my signature," "making bland dishes amazing." At Pretty Bird Chicken restaurant, you can enjoy a special fish sauce-infused sauce served with each hot piece of chicken.
Like Viet Pham, Vietnamese-American chef Vince Nguyen grew up in the US (Southern California) and didn't eat much Vietnamese food.
He started cooking more Vietnamese dishes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the dishes evoked memories, and for Vince Nguyen, "this was truly special."
Vietnamese-American chef Vince Nguyen (with his wife at the James Beard Awards ceremony on June 5-6 in Chicago, USA) Photo: OPB
Speaking on Oregon Public Broadcasting, Vince Nguyen shared that Vietnamese flavors helped shape his style and make his dishes more vibrant. He revealed that when he started his restaurant, his roots became a foundation, giving him strength.
Through his tireless efforts, in early June 2023, Vince Nguyen received the prestigious James Beard Award for "Best Chef in the Northwest and Pacific Region," considered the "Oscars of gastronomy."
Vince Nguyen owns Berlu, a Vietnamese tasting restaurant in Portland, Oregon. The menu includes multiple dishes, but each portion is just right for one person.
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