Melissa King: From Top Chef Champion to Culinary Mogul and Advocate

Following her victory on season 17 of Top Chef in 2020, Melissa King has achieved considerable success.

Having previously placed fourth on the culinary competition in season 12, the chef — an Asian-American and queer woman — made a comeback half a decade later to claim the top title. She received the quarter-million-dollar main award and an additional ten thousand dollars for being voted Fan Favorite, a sum she contributed to several charitable organizations such as Black Visions Collective, The Trevor Project, Asian Americans for Equality, and Asian Youth Center.

“I deeply believe that Top Chef has provided me with more than just a culinary stage,” she stated to Bravo’s website in June 2020. “It offers me a platform to discuss issues I care about and am passionate about beyond cooking. These are things that could, hopefully, impact someone else’s life.”

Since her Top Chef triumph, King has established her own enterprise, concentrating on food-related collaborations and unique events — notably her renowned collection of sauces, King Sauce.

Continue reading to discover additional details about King’s journey:

The Parents of Melissa King Relocated from Hong Kong to Los Angeles

Born in October 1983 in Whittier, California, King is the daughter of two engineers who had both moved from Hong Kong to Los Angeles during the late 1960s. (Her father originated from Shanghai, while her mother was Cantonese.)

Many of King’s culinary creations combine Californian cooking styles with Asian tastes, drawing inspiration from her childhood experiences cooking alongside her mother.

“Much of my early culinary exploration involved simply being with [my mom], balancing on a stool to stir-fry vegetables in a huge wok that dwarfed me,” she recounted during a 2020 episode of “Radio Cherry Bombe.” “I truly cherished those opportunities to be with her and learn all I could about Chinese cuisine. Back then, Chinese dishes were the only ones I knew how to prepare.”

Prior to their shared costume, Padma Lakshmi Referred to Chef Melissa King as Her ‘Guest’

Melissa King Gained Experience at Multiple Michelin-Starred Eateries in the Bay Area

Following her attainment of a B.A. in cognitive science from the University of California, Irvine, and an A.A. in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute, King proceeded to hold positions in numerous Michelin-starred establishments across the Bay Area. Her culinary roles included renowned venues like Campton Place, Luce, and The Dining Room.

Melissa King Emerged Victorious on ‘Top Chef’ Season 17

King’s initial appearance was in season 12 of Top Chef, securing a fourth-place finish. Almost six years subsequent, King opted to rejoin the culinary program for an All-Stars edition.

“I believe my initial participation was driven by… a sense that I was doing it for others,” she clarified during a 2020 episode of the “Radio Cherry Bombe” podcast. “My friends and family were quite literally pushing my application, placing it directly on my desk. I then embarked on that experience and gained profound insights into confronting one’s fears; if something frightens you, you should simply attempt it to see the outcome. Therefore, when they invited me back for the show this time, I recall experiencing a slight apprehension, thinking, ‘Oh no, why are they returning? Why are they contacting me?’”

King remarked that her second attempt felt entirely self-motivated.

“It was absolutely my choice, but on this occasion, I made it completely focused on myself, my personal objectives, and my desire to simply give my utmost effort,” she revealed.

Ultimately, the chef triumphed in Top Chef season 17 during 2020.

Padma Lakshmi and Melissa King Address Speculation: Your Nails Are 'So Gay'

“Ever since my initial Top Chef experience, I have repeatedly discovered that fear serves as the most powerful driving force,” she posted on Instagram in June 2020. “I confronted my anxieties and unearthed my resilience. I opted for affirmation rather than denial. I followed my instincts over pure logic. (Naturally, this varies depending on the circumstances). I am eternally thankful for the impact Top Chef has had on me — it enabled me to innovate outside the confines of a traditional restaurant. It instilled confidence and fortitude within me. It fostered stronger bonds with my family.”

King added: “It has provided me with a contemporary family of witty yet profoundly motivating chef companions. It has empowered me to proudly advocate for my LGBTQ/Asian American communities. My gratitude goes to everyone who worked relentlessly and devoted themselves to creating a program that not only transforms lives but also encourages us all to improve.”

Melissa King Launched a Sauce Collection and Authored a Cookbook

Having secured almost half a million dollars, King launched her personal sauce brand, King Sauce, integrated within her eponymous company specializing in food collaborations.

“I developed a line of small-batch sauces because I found myself idle during quarantine and bored, and it unexpectedly became very popular, now available through my website,” she mentioned on a 2020 episode of the “Radio Cherry Bombe” podcast.

Beyond her range of sauces, King additionally penned her debut cookbook, Cook Like a King: Recipes From my California Chinese Kitchen.

“Cook Like a King presents an assortment of Chinese California recipes — some originating from my Shanghainese grandmother, Cantonese grandmother, and my proud mother, Alice; others from my daily home cooking; and a select few from Top Chef (yes, my Hong Kong Milk Tea Tiramisu is included!)” King posted on Instagram in February 2025. “This book was crafted with every reader in mind — offering approachable, vibrant, and striking recipes for anyone aiming to enhance their culinary skills. It is the nearest I can come to cooking alongside you, sharing my techniques while we delve into the Asian pantry and evoke a Californian atmosphere.”

Melissa King Advocates for Asian American and LGBTQ+ Initiatives

King disclosed that she contributed the entirety of her $10,000 Fan Favorite award to charitable organizations she is passionate about, dedicated to aiding the Black, LGBTQ+, and Asian-American populations.

“I participated in [Top Chef] simply as myself, undertaking a personal quest to challenge myself through the show and to see if I could endure; upon reaching the conclusion, I began receiving emails and messages from people saying, ‘We watched you on Top Chef, and you’re Asian-American and I’m an Asian American, and we’re so proud of you for representing our community,’” she recounted in a June 2020 interview with Bravo’s website.

King mentioned that individuals shared with her how they “came out to their parents” as a result of her visibility.

“[Top Chef is] offering me a stage to articulate issues I am concerned with and deeply enthusiastic about beyond the culinary realm,” she conveyed to the publication.

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