Mai and Huy Nguyen at The Strand Seafood Restaurant in Williamstown. 88132 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By ALESHA CAPONE
AS A child Huy Nguyen started his first small business while growing up in Vietnam.
The enterprising youngster saved up to buy chickens so he could sell eggs at the market.
His wife Mai spent five years of her childhood in the Galang refugee camp in Indonesia with her parents before coming to Australia at the age of 16.
Nowadays the hardworking couple run The Strand Seafood Restaurant in Williamstown and live in Footscray.
Mr Nguyen began working at the restaurant eight years ago and he took over as owner-chef four years ago.
Coincidentally the couple went on a date at restaurant before they were married.
“We were driving past one day. I thought, ‘Gee I’d like to go there one day’ and I would never have believed I’d be sitting here and own it in the future,” Mrs Nguyen said.
“It proves dreams really do come true.
“There are a lot of local customers here and it is nice to have the support of locals.”
Mr Nguyen has been a chef for more than two decades since completing his apprenticeship at the Hyatt Regency in Perth.
“As a chef you never stop learning. Twenty years later I’m still learning and there are always different dishes we want to create,” he said.
Mr Nguyen said he was passionate about seafood and sourcing the best ingredients for his specials menu which changed daily.
Mrs Nguyen said this had resulted in her becoming accustomed to her husband’s mobile phone ringing at 3am every morning with reports of the day’s best catch.
“I work closely with the fishermen and seafood suppliers in the bay,” Mr Nguyen said.
“My phone is on 24 hours a day. I tell them, ‘Don’t hesitate to call me’.”
