LOCATION: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Jerry Mai was one of the first chefs to introduce authentic Vietnamese flavours to Melbourne. She’s known for her paddock-to-plate approach and down-to-earth style, which has earned her a loyal following both in Melbourne and beyond. She owns several well-known Melbourne restaurants, including Bia Hoi, Pho Nom, and Annam. Her 2020 summer pop-up at Ocean Eight Winery was a huge success, further cementing her reputation in the city’s hospitality scene.

In 2020, Jerry became a regular co-host on SBS Food’s Asia Unplated with Diana Chan and has also appeared on My Market Kitchen, Everyday Gourmet, and MasterChef Australia. Jerry currently co-hosts 10 Minute Kitchen on Channel Ten.

Jerry’s food reflects her family’s story and heritage. While her dishes are primarily Vietnamese, they also draw inspiration from Thai and Cambodian cuisine. Her food is deeply personal, inspired by the places where her parents lived before moving to Australia with her and her two brothers in the 1980s.

She began her career working at some of Melbourne’s most respected Asian-inspired restaurants, including Longrain in 2006, Seamstress in 2007, and Gingerboy from 2008 to 2009. These experiences taught her the skills and discipline that continue to shape her work today.

Like many Australian chefs, Jerry was drawn to London to further her culinary career. She spent two years there, including time at the renowned restaurant Nahm, where she worked under David Thompson and refined her understanding of Thai cuisine at one of the best Thai restaurants in the world. She also worked at Zuma, a high-end Japanese izakaya, where she gained new techniques and learned to work with ingredients in innovative ways.

In 2014, Jerry opened Pho Nom to bring the flavours of her family’s kitchen to the city. The fast-casual restaurant serves restaurant-quality Vietnamese food quickly and thoughtfully, with heart and authenticity. There are now two busy Pho Nom locations in Melbourne’s CBD.

In September 2017, she opened Annam Restaurant and Bar in Chinatown, a modern reflection of her family’s heritage, her training, and her passion for shared feasting. The menu features flavours from Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, paired with drinks that complement the smoky, spicy dishes. Annam has helped redefine Vietnamese dining in Melbourne.

Jerry’s profile continued to rise in 2018 through her television appearances on SBS’s Food Safari Water and The Chef’s Line. She also made appearances at major festivals, including Black Caviar Day at Flemington Racecourse, Taste of Sydney Collective, Gourmet Escape in Margaret River, Apollo Bay Seafood Festival, and Tasting Australia in Adelaide.

In 2019, Jerry launched Bia Hoi Vietnamese Beer Hall at The Glen Shopping Centre in Glen Waverley. Inspired by the vibrant beer streets of Vietnam, Bia Hoi offers a community-focused dining experience featuring bold Vietnamese flavours and a carefully curated selection of beers, celebrating both the cuisine and the culture of Vietnam.

Jerry has been the Executive Chef of Roll’d Australia since 2021, responsible for the bold flavours on the Roll’d menu, helping redefine the fast-casual Vietnamese market in Australia.