David Chang
David Chang (Korean: Chang Seok-ho 장석호; born August 5, 1977)[4] is an American restaurateur, author, podcaster, and television personality. He is the founder of the Momofuku restaurant group.[5][6] In 2009, Momofuku Ko was awarded two Michelin stars, which the restaurant has retained each year since.[7] In 2011, he co-founded the influential food magazine Lucky Peach, which lasted for 25 quarterly volumes into 2017.[8][9][10] In 2018, Chang created, produced, and starred in a Netflix original series called Ugly Delicious,[11] and through his Majordomo Media group, he has produced and/or starred in more television and podcasts.[12] On November 29, 2020, he became the first celebrity to win the $1,000,000 top prize for his charity, Southern Smoke Foundation, and the fourteenth overall million dollar winner on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.[13]
David Chang
August 5, 1977
2[3]
Jang Seokho
Chang Sŏkho
Early life and education[edit]
Chang was born in Arlington, Virginia, the son of Korean parents, mother Woo Chung Hi "Sherri," who was born in Kaesong, and Chang Jin Pil, later Joseph P. Chang, who was born in Pyongyang.[1] Chang grew up in Arlington, with two older brothers and one sister. Chang's parents emigrated from Korea as adults in the 1960s.[14][15][5] As a child, Chang was a competitive golfer who participated in a number of junior tournaments.[16] Chang attended Georgetown Prep and then Trinity College, where he majored in religious studies.[14] After graduating from college, Chang pursued a variety of jobs, including teaching English in Japan, then bussing tables and holding finance positions in New York City.[17]
On a 2022 episode of the TV series Finding Your Roots, it was revealed that one of Chang's paternal ancestors was Jang Bogo, a famous mariner and military leader of the Medieval Korean kingdom of Silla.[18]
Media career[edit]
Television[edit]
In 2010, he appeared in the fifth episode of HBO's Treme alongside fellow chefs Tom Colicchio, Eric Ripert and Wylie Dufresne. His presence on the show was expanded in the second season when one of the characters, a New Orleans chef who has moved to New York City, takes a job in his restaurant. Chang has also served as a guest judge on the reality show Top Chef: All Stars.[57] In 2011, he was a guest judge on MasterChef Australia. Chang hosted the first season of the PBS food series The Mind of a Chef, which was executive produced by Anthony Bourdain and premiered in the fall of 2012. In September 2013, David appeared on a skit on the Deltron 3030 album, Event 2. In 2016, he guest starred as himself in the IFC series Documentary Now! episode "Juan Likes Rice & Chicken", a parody of Jiro Dreams of Sushi.[58] In 2018, Chang created, produced, and starred in a Netflix original series, Ugly Delicious.[11] Chang also appeared in two episodes of the BuzzFeed web series Worth It, and another Netflix series The Chef Show, produced by his friends Roy Choi and Jon Favreau. In 2019, he produced a Netflix original titled "Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner" with guest stars including Seth Rogen and Kate McKinnon. He also appeared in the Blue's Clues & You! episode "Welcome to Blue's Bistro" in the Mailtime segment. He hosted the documentary film series The Next Thing You Eat.[59] David Chang appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in the Apple TV+ original series Loot.[60]
Writing[edit]
In summer 2011, Chang released the first issue of his Lucky Peach food magazine, a quarterly publication created with Peter Meehan and published by McSweeney's.[61] The theme of Issue 1 was Ramen.[62] Contributors included Anthony Bourdain, Wylie Dufresne, Ruth Reichl, and Harold McGee. The theme of Issue 2 is The Sweet Spot, and Issue 2 reached #3 on the New York Times bestsellers list.[63] Contributors to Issue 2 include Bourdain, Harold McGee, Momofuku Milk Bar's Christina Tosi, Daniel Patterson and Russell Chatham. Issue 3: Chefs and Cooks, was released on March 13 and was also a New York Times bestseller.[64] Each subsequent issue continued to focus on a particular theme.
Lucky Peach discontinued after 25 issues in 2017.[8][9][10]
Public persona[edit]
Epicurious described Chang as having a "bad-boy attitude" for having no reservations or vegetarian options.[65] Chang created a controversy in 2009 by making dismissive remarks about California chefs, telling Anthony Bourdain, "They don't manipulate food, they just put figs on a plate."[66]
Chang serves on the Food Council at City Harvest and the Culinary Council at Food Bank for New York City, two hunger-relief organizations.[67] He is also a member of the board of trustees at MOFAD, the Museum of Food and Drink in New York City.[68]
James Beard Foundation Awards
Other awards