Cooking Under the Stars: How Chef Viet Pham Embraces the Outdoors with His RV
Born in a treehouse on a remote island, chef Viet Pham’s connection to the outdoors runs deep. As a professional chef, winner of Iron Chef America against Bobby Flay, and co-owner of Pretty Bird Chicken in Salt Lake City, Utah, Viet’s life is a whirlwind of culinary innovation and bustling restaurant work. Yet, when he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him escaping into nature with his wife Alexis, their adventurous cat Theo, and their trusty RV. For Viet, the RV isn’t just transportation; it’s a gateway to foraging, fishing, and creating memorable meals that capture the essence of the outdoors.
A Culinary Adventurer’s Refuge
“As a chef, it’s hard to get away from the kitchen,” Viet says. “I try to get out as much as I can.” But when he does, he finds solace in the mountains. “Coming to the mountains with my wife Alexis, it’s a great way to just break away from the everyday hustle and bustle of city life.” For Viet, the outdoors is more than just a retreat; it’s a source of inspiration. The trees and mountains, as he describes, “talk to you,” offering moments of self-reflection and connection.
Theo: The Adventure Cat
An integral part of the Pham family’s outdoor escapades is Theo, their adventurous cat. “Theo goes everywhere with us,” Viet says. “He goes swimming, he goes hiking, he goes climbing. He does it all.” Theo’s adventurous spirit mirrors Viet’s own, embodying the curiosity and adaptability that have defined his life and career.
Foraging: Nature’s Treasure Hunt
Foraging is one of Viet’s favorite outdoor activities. “Foraging is the act of going outdoors and looking for edible plants, and it’s like going on a treasure hunt,” Viet explains. The thrill of discovering edible plants in the wild aligns with his culinary philosophy: creating dishes that evoke a sense of place and time. Viet’s curiosity and resourcefulness—traits honed during a childhood of fishing with bamboo rods—continue to drive his passion for exploring the natural world.
Cooking in the Wild
Viet’s outdoor adventures culminate in meals that celebrate simplicity and locality. “The dinner we’re having tonight is a very simple dish. It’s a dish of some roasted trout, some potatoes, and the way that I like to eat when I’m outdoors is just very simple but using ingredients that really kind of evoke a sense of place and time,” Viet shares. For Viet, the key to great outdoor cooking is letting the ingredients shine. He crisps up trout skin to perfection and perfumes the dish with local spruce, lemon slices, and thyme. “Something about cooking outdoors, being in the outdoors, it makes everything taste so much better,” he says.
The Role of the RV
At the heart of these adventures is Viet’s RV, which provides both practicality and comfort. “Packing our things always includes one essential piece—our RV,” Viet explains. The RV offers a mobile basecamp, enabling Viet to transition seamlessly between foraging, fishing, and cooking. It’s a space where he can store tools, prepare meals, and relax under the stars after a day of exploration.
The RV’s versatility is key to Viet’s lifestyle. Whether it’s keeping Theo safe during travels or providing a well-stocked kitchen for outdoor cooking, the RV enhances every aspect of his adventures. “Spending time outdoors with my friends, my family, being able to cook outdoors not just for myself but for the people that I care about, being up in the mountains, spending the night underneath the amazing stars—that’s what I live for,” Viet says.
Lessons from Viet’s Outdoor Kitchen
For those inspired by Viet’s adventures, here are some takeaways for embracing outdoor cooking and RV living:
- Keep It Simple: Focus on fresh, local ingredients that reflect the environment you’re in.
- Be Prepared: Equip your RV with essential cooking tools and storage for fresh ingredients.
- Stay Flexible: Let nature guide your menu. Foraged plants and freshly caught fish can inspire spontaneous meals.
- Enjoy the Process: Cooking outdoors is about more than the meal; it’s about connecting with the environment and those around you.
Under the Stars
As Viet cooks dinner by a crackling fire, surrounded by mountains and under a canopy of stars, he reflects on what makes these moments special. “Spending the night underneath the amazing stars—that’s what I live for,” he says.
For Viet Pham, the outdoors is both a playground and a dining room, and his RV is the bridge between his culinary artistry and his love for nature. Whether he’s foraging for spruce, roasting trout, or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of the wilderness, Viet’s adventures remind us that the best meals are those seasoned with a sense of wonder and shared with the people we love.
