Vanessa Pham, Founder at Oxtale

What did you study at Harvard?

Sociology & Economics at Harvard College, Class of 2016

Were you involved with any food or wine activities while a student?

I certainly found ways to integrate my love of cuisine and wine into life at Harvard. I participated in a semester long wine seminar, comprised of a series of dinners featuring expert instruction on wines from different regions and a paired multi-course dinner. I also had the great opportunity to take the Science & Cooking course and attend guest lectures from a number of acclaimed chefs, such as José Andrés and David Chang.

Do you think that Harvard has prepared you for a career in food and wine or hospitality in general? If so, how?

Absolutely! My Sociological studies at Harvard fueled my deep interest in immersing myself in other cultures, often using cuisine as the starting point. As a founder, I feel that the core liberal arts skillset is invaluable for someone who has to wear all hats.

What work do you do now?

I am the founder of Oxtale, a modern D2C food brand for home cooks seeking uncompromised global flavors – in less time than it takes to get delivery. Our mission is to foster empathy across cultures with food as the vehicle.

Oxtale is not a meal kit company, nor is it a meal delivery service. Instead, our “starters” unlock time-honored flavors that ordinarily require hours of cook time and multiple shopping trips. The way Americans eat is rapidly changing, with the growing global food movement making its way into homes, and we want to help drive that change.

Websites that are relevant to your work or special interests:

Oxtale.co

@oxtaleco