Ep 77. Chef Jerry Mai: Turning Up the Heat on Heritage

If bold, punchy and unapologetic food is your preference, this episode delivers.

Born in Vietnam, Chef Jerry Mai grew up surrounded by a mother’s love expressed through food. It was an upbringing in which food became more than something to cook; it evolved into identity, culture, and memory.

Chef Jerry Mai did not simply inherit recipes. A new expression of those traditions continues to take shape.

In this episode of Straight To The Source, Chef Jerry Mai joins Tawnya Bahr for a candid conversation about the realities of the hospitality industry, travel, raising a family, relationships and why the best stories sometimes emerge long after the kitchen closes.

Now the Culinary Director at Roll’d, Jerry’s bringing bold Vietnamese street food to the national stage while remaining fiercely grounded in its origins and flavour.

Jerry is funny, fearless and refreshingly honest. Just like the food.

Listen now on your favourite podcast platform.

This episode is proudly brought to you by UNOX Australia, leaders in smart oven innovation for commercial and residential kitchens. Learn more atwww.unox.com 

Follow & Connect with Jerry
Chefjerrymai
rolld_vietnamese

Connect with your hosts:
Tawnya Bahr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawnyabahr 
Lucy Allon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyallon 

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://straighttothesource.com.au/community 

Follow Straight To The Source: @straight_to_the_source

Find out more about Straight To The Source: https://straighttothesource.com.au

Ep 77. Chef Jerry Mai: Turning Up the Heat on Heritage
If bold, punchy and unapologetic food is your preference, this episode delivers.
Born in Vietnam, Chef Jerry Mai grew up surrounded by a mother&rsquo;s love expressed through food. It was an upbringing in which food became more than something to cook; it evolved into identity, culture, and memory.
Chef Jerry Mai did not simply inherit recipes. A new expression of those traditions continues to take shape.
In this episode of Straight To The Source, Chef Jerry Mai joins Tawnya Bahr for a candid conversation about the realities of the hospitality industry, travel, raising a family, relationships and why the best stories sometimes emerge long after the kitchen closes.
Now the Culinary Director at Roll&rsquo;d, Jerry&rsquo;s bringing bold Vietnamese street food to the national stage while remaining fiercely grounded in its origins and flavour.
Jerry is funny, fearless and refreshingly honest. Just like the food.
Listen now on your favourite podcast platform.
This episode is proudly brought to you by UNOX Australia, leaders in smart oven innovation for commercial and residential kitchens. Learn more at<a href="https://www.unox.com/au_au/"> </a><a href="http://www.unox.com">www.unox.com</a>&nbsp;
Follow &amp; Connect with Jerry
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chefjerrymai/">Chefjerrymai</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/rolld_vietnamese/">rolld_vietnamese</a></li>
</ul>
Connect with your hosts:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Tawnya Bahr: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawnyabahr">https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawnyabahr</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Lucy Allon: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyallon">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyallon</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Subscribe to our newsletter: <a href="https://straighttothesource.com.au/community">https://straighttothesource.com.au/community</a>&nbsp;
Follow Straight To The Source: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/straight_to_the_source/">@straight_to_the_source</a>
Find out more about Straight To The Source: <a href="https://straighttothesource.com.au/">https://straighttothesource.com.au</a>

Welcome to the Straight To The Source podcast, where leadership meets the future of food.

Hosted by two of Australia’s most respected food industry voices, Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon, the Straight To The Source podcast connects you directly with the changemakers shaping how we grow, source, and experience food.

With decades of experience spanning the kitchen, dining room, and boardroom, as chef, restaurateur, consultants, and educators, Tawnya and Lucy bring an insider’s lens to the challenges and innovations driving the industry forward.

From producers pioneering regenerative practices to hospitality leaders reimagining what sustainability means on the plate, each episode explores the strategies, stories, and leadership mindsets transforming the global food landscape and ensuring a thriving, sustainable food future for generations to come.

Get ready for bold ideas, honest conversations, and the kind of insights that move industries forward.

Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more Straight To The Source episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

To stay up to date, follow Straight To The Source on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Welcome to the Straight To The Source podcast, where leadership meets the future of food.
Hosted by two of Australia&rsquo;s most respected food industry voices, Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon, the Straight To The Source podcast connects you directly with the changemakers shaping how we grow, source, and experience food.
With decades of experience spanning the kitchen, dining room, and boardroom, as chef, restaurateur, consultants, and educators, Tawnya and Lucy bring an insider&rsquo;s lens to the challenges and innovations driving the industry forward.
From producers pioneering regenerative practices to hospitality leaders reimagining what sustainability means on the plate, each episode explores the strategies, stories, and leadership mindsets transforming the global food landscape and ensuring a thriving, sustainable food future for generations to come.
Get ready for bold ideas, honest conversations, and the kind of insights that move industries forward.
Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more Straight To The Source episodes on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/straight-to-the-source/id1610058270">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1FwFeGJI0wp15O9KiDn28c?si=20a9b788479446c7">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@straighttothesource7730">YouTube</a>.
To stay up to date, follow Straight To The Source on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/straight.to.the.source/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/straighttothesourcefoodtours">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/straight-to-the-source/">LinkedIn</a>.