Chef Viet Pham - The Only Chef to Beat Bobby Flay Twice

Viet Pham not only excels in the kitchen, particularly with his fried chicken, but he is also the sole chef to have triumphed against Bobby Flay on two separate occasions in direct culinary contests.

Photo: Anders Krusberg. From: Iron Chef America

His triumphs on Iron Chef America and Beat Bobby Flay have solidified his position as one of the most inventive chefs to compete on Food Network.

However, his ascent to the pinnacle of the culinary realm did not commence in a kitchen. Viet was born in a refugee camp in Malaysia and emigrated to the United States at the age of seven months. Having spent his formative years in California, the first-generation Vietnamese-American chef expresses profound gratitude to his parents for their sacrifices that have significantly influenced his personal and professional development.

Whether vying for culinary accolades or innovating fried chicken, Viet consistently operates at the pinnacle of his craft, or as he articulates, “cooking from within” – perpetually pursuing excellence.

Photo: Eddy Chen. From: Food Network Star

Defeating Bobby … Not Once, But Twice!

Viet possesses a unique distinction in the realm of competition cuisine: he is the sole contestant to have triumphed over Bobby Flay in direct confrontations on many occasions. He initially defeated the renowned chef in 2013 on Iron Chef America and again in 2018 on Beat Bobby Flay.