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The Girl Who Became King

A Memoir
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The Girl Who Became King

By: Melissa King
Narrated by: Melissa King
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Summary

 From award-winning chef, author, television personality, and activist Melissa King comes an intimate, captivating memoir about family, food, and finding her voice as a queer Chinese American chef

Embracing my love of food has empowered me to embrace every layer of who I am: my Chinese heritage, my American upbringing, and all the parts of me that felt too much and not enough. When I chose myself, I set her free. Just me. The girl who became king.

As a kid, Melissa King lived for the moment she would come from elementary school, grab her prized Chinese meat cleaver, and prepare dinner for her family. She already knew cooking was her future, but she didn’t know how hard she’d have to fight to make that dream a reality.

Growing up, King felt like she was stuck in a box that was only getting smaller. Her Shanghainese and Cantonese immigrant parents had certain expectations—none of which included going to culinary school or falling in love with women. American culture also dictated that kitchens were a man’s world. But trying to live by these rules felt like no life at all.

Determined to forge her own path, she fought her way into the demanding world of Michelin-starred kitchens, while discovering a home in the queer community. When she entered Top Chef as a reluctant contestant, inspired by her grandmother’s advice to follow her heart, she began embracing the flavors, culture, and parts of herself she had once forgotten. This journey of self-discovery through food leads her back to her parents, where love creates room for their strengths and imperfections.

In this heartfelt memoir, Melissa King shows that empowerment comes from embracing all the different ingredients that make up who you are, and models the hard-won courage it takes to believe in yourself against the odds. Biographies & Memoirs Culinary Professionals & Academics
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Critic reviews

“We have known and loved Melissa King, the chef, for years, but in this no-holds-barred memoir, we finally meet Melissa King, the person, with layers of heartbreak, fears, joys and triumphs that make her the singular force of nature that she is today. Essential reading for any modern-day foodie.”—Edward Lee, chef, finalist on Culinary Class Wars, and author of Bourbon Land

“The Girl Who Became King is a must-read for anyone pursuing their dreams. What stayed with me is how honestly Melissa King traces her journey: the pressure, the contradictions, the quiet negotiations between who you’re expected to be and who you know you are. Through her food, King expresses the courage it takes to choose yourself, but she’s really doing something larger: She’s telling the story of becoming. This book is a reminder that there’s no single way to do that—only the act of doing it, of creating something true in whatever language or medium we have. And right now, that feels more important than ever.”—Jon M. Chu, director of Crazy Rich Asians and author of Viewfinder

“The Girl Who Became King is not only a chronicle of humble beginnings and big dreams. It’s an immigrant story, a story of finding your particular identity as a queer woman, insisting on who you are while still holding grace for the imperfect people who love you. A joy to read. One can’t help but root and cheer for our chef King.”—Padma Lakshmi, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Loss, and What We Ate
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