Today we’d like to introduce you to Roger Pham.
Hi Roger, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It’s honestly kind of crazy to look back and see how it all started. Back in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was always at the gym playing basketball or breakdancing, but when everything shut down, I had to find a new hobby.
I’ve always been a foodie, and I would post pictures and videos of the food I was trying on my personal Instagram story. Friends and family would ask me for recommendations and tell me I should start a food page. At first, I didn’t think too much of it, but after hearing it from more and more people, I finally decided to give it a shot.
Another big reason I wanted to start was seeing how much the pandemic was affecting local businesses. I knew a lot of restaurants were going through a difficult time, and I wanted to help in whatever way I could. Even if it was just sharing their food and spreading the word, I hoped I could help more people discover these places and encourage them to support local businesses.
What really surprised me was the love and feedback I got right from the beginning of my journey. I never expected people to connect with my content the way they did, especially early on. It was a surreal feeling knowing that something I was doing simply because I loved food was also helping people discover new places to eat. That early encouragement kept me going to see where it would take me.
As someone who was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, what I appreciate most is getting to be involved in the Portland food community. I’ve always loved trying new food, but this has given me another way to connect with people who share that same passion and discover places I might not have otherwise known about. I never expected a hobby I picked up back in 2020 to become what it is today. I’m so thankful for all the love and support I’ve received and I will never take that for granted. At the end of the day, I’m just someone who loves food, enjoys sharing good finds with people, and hopes to keep doing that for a long time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges has been staying consistent, especially while balancing school and working a full-time job. I genuinely care about what I put out, so I’ve always prioritized quality over quantity. At the same time, the pressure is real. The second I hit post on a video, my mind is already thinking about the next one. Finding that balance between keeping up with real life and making content I’m proud of is something I’m still learning every day. That being said, everyone who continues to support me regardless will forever hold a special place in my heart.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work in brand and digital marketing, a field I fell in love with while earning my bachelor’s in marketing at Washington State University Vancouver. After graduating, I spent three years working as a customer service rep, often sitting at my cubicle wondering if I’d ever land a role in marketing. It felt nearly impossible without prior experience.
I’ll forever be thankful to my manager for taking a chance on me and giving me my first marketing role. In a moment that was completely surreal, I learned he was actually already following my content before hiring me! It’s crazy looking back and realizing how the work I was doing on the side unexpectedly opened the door to my career.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
To me, taking a risk is simply about having the confidence to put yourself out there and make things happen. When you actually put in the work and prepare, taking a big step in life doesn’t feel like as much of a risk; it just feels like the right move. Things won’t always go perfectly, but if you keep a positive mindset and stay consistent, everything will fall into place. I hope my story inspires anyone sitting on a goal or an idea to stop waiting for the “perfect time,” trust their gut feeling, and just go for it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rogerthateats/?hl=en
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rogerthateats
