Hoang Kim, a self-taught chef from Vietnam, found her calling in cooking after moving to Corsica. Inspired by Anthony Bourdain, she successfully introduced Vietnamese cuisine to the local market. Despite challenges, her culinary venture flourished, leading to a popular TikTok channel and a head chef position at a four-star restaurant. She aims to open a dedicated Vietnamese restaurant and promote her culinary heritage throughout France.
Hoang Kim, a self-taught chef from Vietnam’s Bac Ninh Province, discovered her culinary passion after relocating to France with her husband. Inspired by the late chef Anthony Bourdain’s respect for Vietnamese cuisine, she found solace in cooking authentic dishes as she adjusted to life in Corsica, an idyllic Mediterranean island known for its stunning landscapes. Her creations quickly resonated with her French in-laws, centering around beloved meals such as fried spring rolls and pho, which sparked her culinary adventure.
In April 2023, upon realizing the potential demand for Vietnamese cuisine, Hoang Kim began making fried spring rolls, a staple that soon garnered popularity on local cruise ships and markets. Encouraged by her husband’s cousin, she successfully established her menu focusing on classic Vietnamese dishes. Demand surged, with some vendors ordering over 100 spring rolls daily, inspiring her to expand her offerings to include braised pork and southern-style beef noodle salad.
Faced with challenges in maintaining dish consistency, she meticulously documented recipes and portion sizes to ensure quality. Hoang Kim emphasized the importance of fresh ingredients over frozen ones, asserting that, “With some dishes, especially spring rolls, using frozen ingredients can lower the quality by half.” Her commitment reflects a desire to share her cultural culinary heritage authentically, enabling customers to savor homemade flavors.
A pivotal moment came in February 2024 when she launched her TikTok channel, which quickly gained traction with over 60 videos showcasing recipes that resonated with Vietnamese expatriates. Commenting on her impact, she stated, “When people tell me my recipes make them feel at home, or that they’re proud to see me representing Vietnamese culture, it means more to me than any number of views or likes.”
Her burgeoning TikTok presence caught the attention of a four-star French restaurant owner, leading to her employment as a kitchen assistant. Without formal training but eager to learn, she rose to the position of head chef for appetizers, where her Vietnamese specialties gained acclaim. She expressed pride in her work, stating, “Every time I hear customers ordering Vietnamese dishes, I feel so proud.”
Despite the rewarding experience, the role came with challenges, including language barriers that occasionally hindered communication with the kitchen staff, causing stress and exhaustion. Nevertheless, she persevered, motivated by her desire to promote Vietnamese cuisine’s reputation abroad.
Hoang Kim continues to work alongside her husband, Quentin Farrari, selling traditional Vietnamese meals, teaching him the art of Vietnamese cooking, and expanding their culinary enterprise. She envisions opening a dedicated restaurant in Corsica featuring traditional offerings like iced milk coffee, while harboring bigger aspirations of spreading Vietnamese cuisine throughout France.
Hoang Kim’s journey as a self-taught chef exemplifies resilience and passion. After moving to Corsica, she embraced her cultural heritage by introducing Vietnamese cuisine to a new audience. Her success in the culinary world is attributed to her commitment to quality, community engagement, and a strong desire to elevate Vietnamese cuisine’s visibility. Looking forward, she aims to open a Vietnamese restaurant in Corsica and share her flavorful legacy across France.
Original Source: e.vnexpress.net
