Today, he owns four Nashville-style chicken restaurants called Pretty Bird in the Salt Lake City area.
Pham, a French-trained chef, defeated Bobby Flay twice on Iron Chef America.
Phams story begins after his parents left Vietnam by boat in 1978.
It was a suggestion from his grandparents, who claimed, That way, hell never forget his country.
After arriving in America, the family settled in the suburbs of Chicago.
For Pham, it wasnt easy growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood.
We were bullied because of our name and our ethnicity, he recalls.
I thought if we were like the other kids, we wouldnt be picked on.
Thats why he started eating at McDonalds, hoping Id be just like them.
The only time we could have McDonalds was on Fridays, my parents payday.
Watching his parents struggle encouraged him to study and work harder.
It shaped me for who I am.
They came with nothing, didnt know anybody, he says.
Through hard work and perseverance, they made a living and supported us.
After a career in finance, he attended culinary school, training under award-winning chef Laurent Gras.
After opening Forage in Salt Lake City, Pham wonFood & Wines best chef award.
It blew my mind, he recalls.
He developed his own take on the Southern classic, plying friends with tastes as he tweaked his recipe.
I had a portable electric turkey fryer in my Prius, he says.
Id drive to friends who owned bars and cooked for their staff in the back of a parking lot.
