We recently had the chance to connect with Jami Pham and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Jami, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I do genuinely “eat sleep breathe” my work and love it but have often struggled with feeling balanced in my day to day. One thing that brings me a lot of joy outside of work is learning about emotional intelligence through meditation, astrology, human design, and exploring all the “woo-woo” things that are often overlooked when we think of self care. Astrology has become less predictive and more energy forecasting for me and I weave that into my meditations, reflections, and other self care.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Jami, owner and lead chef of Phamily Eats, a private chef company. Cooking has always felt like home to me, never feeling out of place in a kitchen. As a self-taught chef, I’ve pursued every opportunity to cook, host, and create unforgettable meals. For me, food has never been just about putting ingredients on a plate. It’s about nourishment, self-care, connection, and creating experiences that linger long after the last bite.
Through Phamily Eats, I get to bring that philosophy into people’s homes and special events. I love when a client comes to me with a vision—whether it’s a cozy family gathering, an interactive dining experience, or an elegant multi-course dinner—and I get to turn that dream into reality. My goal is always to deliver more than just food; I create a complete culinary experience that makes people feel cared for, celebrated, and connected.
At the heart of everything I do is the belief that food tells a story. It can carry memories, honor traditions, and bring people closer together. Every event I cook for is a chance to share that story, and to weave a little magic into the meal.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The pandemic was really the moment that reshaped everything for me. I found myself stuck in yet another corporate job, feeling out of alignment and questioning if this was really how I wanted to spend my life. I had been building my brand on the side in all kinds of ways but never felt like I could go all in. What I realized during that time was that work could be done differently—that creating money and opportunities for myself was far more powerful than buying into a system that wasn’t actually secure. We saw how quickly jobs could be lost, how fragile that so-called stability really was. I learned that I don’t need everything or endless resources; I just need enough. And discovering how to create that for myself, on my own terms, shifted the way I see both work and life. It gave me the freedom to build something I truly believe in, instead of relying on a structure that I don’t. It wasn’t “easy” but it continues to be “worth it”.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that you create your own reality, so be your own best friend along the way. Even if you check all the boxes that the world tells you to, it won’t mean much unless you feel satisfied with the work you’re doing. You don’t have to stick with something just because you’re good at it—you’re allowed to choose joy, even if it feels hard or uncertain at first. You’ll learn as you go. And you don’t need to have all the answers right away; some things are meant to be built piece by piece, and you were meant to be the one to create your own path—not just walk down someone else’s.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think one of the biggest lies our industry tells itself is that we’re just selling a perfect plate—that if you follow the right steps, use the right ingredients, and execute flawlessly, the flavor will always be the same. The truth is, food isn’t that rigid. When chefs are given the space to really flourish, they’re more like magicians with flavor. It’s about intuition, creativity, and energy. A dish can taste completely different in someone else’s hands, because there’s more than technique at play—there’s the vibe and the care that goes into it. What we’re really offering isn’t just a product on a plate, it’s an experience. It’s a moment of connection, a feeling that lingers beyond the meal itself. That’s the real magic of food, and I think we forget that when we only measure success by perfection or consistency.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I know I am out of my depth when I can’t catch the vibe. I know that sounds crazy but honestly, when I’m in my element and I trust my intuition, I can jump into anything with confidence and learn along the way. But if there is a mental block of my own or a weird energy I can’t reconcile from the person or group I am working with, I am out of my element. Usually that means I’m too in my head and need to ground. I will call on my resources and take a quick break and sometimes even delegate something off my plate so I’m no longer the lead but just executing. The show must always go on in my work in some way but I don’t always have to be the one leading or carrying it all
Contact Info:
- Website: https://phamilyeats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phamilyeatschef/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jami-pham-916303164
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phamilyeats
- Other: Substack: https://substack.com/@phamilyeats
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