There’s a brand new booth at the Sackville Farmers Market, selling fresh Vietnamese food to-go.
The Vietnamese Kitchen is run by Anh Pham, an international student studying commerce at Mount Allison. Pham was encouraged by her Canadian host family and her boyfriend to take her food from home to the Bill Johnstone Memorial Park. They insisted that she share her cooking, which they thoroughly enjoyed, with the rest of Sackville.
Pham just started bringing the Vietnamese Kitchen to the market last Saturday, and she has already seen massive success. She sold out of nearly everything within the first hour of the market being open.
“In one hour, [between] nine to 10, we ran out of everything,” says Pham. “We just [had] spring rolls left, and then these guys came and asked ‘Is anything else that I can buy?’…and then we sold out of everything.”
Pham has been cooking since she was a child, around the second grade, to help her busy household keep up with mealtime. Her family, especially her mom who is a successful business owner, has inspired her journey into the business world.
“My family back in Vietnam is so busy. They taught me how to cook when I was young so that I can help my family. That’s why I love cooking. Every day, I cook for myself, rather than go out.”
Pham has lived in Canada since she was 16 years old, and hopes to help her mother’s business grow by studying abroad and learning about business through experience.
“I’m inspired by my mom… I want to expand her business,” says Pham. She is now 19 years old.
Pham is excited to share Vietnamese food with Sackville to teach them about Vietnamese culture and cuisine.
“I always try to make my Vietnamese cuisine so that they know more about Vietnamese culture and Vietnamese food…It’s our traditional food.”
In a written note, Pham reiterates that “we are doing the Vietnamese Kitchen not for the revenue, but we are trying our best to bring Vietnamese authenticity into our small and beloved Sackville community. Moreover, for me individually, as a Commerce student, I use the theories and what I have learnt in the class to apply into practice. Therefore, I can grow better and fulfill my dream – open a restaurant business after graduation.”
She will change the menu every so often to feature different aspects of Vietnamese food, including vermicelli noodles, which patrons can expect to see soon. She will also be applying for an internship through Mount Allison University to hopefully expand her business and start a food truck.
This Saturday, she let us know that there will be a vegan option alongside the barbequed chicken and pork, which will be marinated and spiced tofu.
Find Pham at the Sackville Farmers Market this Saturday between 9AM and noon, and maybe head there sooner rather than later given she sold out within the first hour last week!
