Get to Know Melissa King: 5 Facts About the Top Chef Champion
Melissa King has achieved remarkable success since winning season 17 of Top Chef in 2020.
After placing fourth in season 12, the Asian-American and queer chef returned six years later to claim victory. She took home a grand prize of $250,000, along with an additional $10,000 for being the Fan Favorite, which she generously donated to numerous charities, including Black Visions Collective, The Trevor Project, Asian Americans for Equality, and Asian Youth Center.
“I strongly believe that Top Chef has provided me with more than just a food platform,” she shared with Bravo’s website in June 2020. “It has given me a voice to discuss issues I care about and am passionate about, hoping to inspire others.”
Since her Top Chef success, King has launched her own company dedicated to culinary partnerships and experiences, including her renowned sauce line, King Sauce.
Continue reading to discover more about King’s journey:
Melissa King’s Parents Immigrated From Hong Kong to Los Angeles
Born in October 1983 in Whittier, California, King is the daughter of two engineers who immigrated from Hong Kong to Los Angeles in the late 1960s (her father hails from Shanghai and her mother is Cantonese).
Many of King’s recipes combine California-style dishes with Asian flavors, inspired by her childhood experiences cooking with her mother.
“A lot of my early kitchen experiences involved helping my mom, standing on a stool, stir-frying vegetables in a wok bigger than I was,” she recalled during an episode of “Radio Cherry Bombe” in 2020. “Those moments were precious, allowing me to learn about Chinese cooking. At that point, I only knew how to prepare Chinese food.”
Melissa King Worked At Several Michelin-Star Restaurants in the Bay Area
After earning a B.A. in cognitive science from the University of California, Irvine, and an A.A. in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute, King moved on to work in multiple Michelin-starred restaurants in the Bay Area, including Campton Place, Luce, and the Dining Room.
Melissa King Won ‘Top Chef’ Season 17
King first appeared on Top Chef during season 12, finishing in fourth place. Six years later, she returned for an All-Stars edition of the show.
“Initially, I felt like I was competing for everyone else,” she explained on an episode of “Radio Cherry Bombe” in 2020. “Friends and family kept pushing me to apply. I learned so much about confronting fears and taking risks, so when I was invited back, I felt anxious but also excited.”
For her second appearance, she emphasized her personal growth.
“This time, it was fully my choice and centered around my own goals,” she shared.
Ultimately, King triumphed in season 17 of Top Chef in 2020.
“Since my first Top Chef, I’ve learned repeatedly that fear is a powerful motivator,” she posted on Instagram in June 2020. “I embraced my fears and discovered my strength. I chose ‘yes’ over ‘no’ and my heart over my mind. (Though context matters 🤣). I’m incredibly thankful for what Top Chef has provided me — a chance to create beyond restaurant walls, instilling confidence and connecting me with my family.”
King further expressed, “It has given me a modern family of witty and inspiring chef friends and has emboldened me to proudly represent my LGBTQ/Asian American communities. I’m grateful for everyone who tirelessly contributed to a show that changes lives and inspires us all to improve.”
Melissa King Started a Sauce Line and Wrote a Cookbook
After winning nearly half a million dollars, King launched her sauce line, King Sauce, under her self-titled food partnerships brand.
“During quarantine, I got bored and created a small batch sauce line that took off and is now available on my website,” she mentioned in a 2020 episode of “Radio Cherry Bombe.”
In addition to her sauces, King authored a cookbook titled Cook Like a King: Recipes From my California Chinese Kitchen.
“Cook Like a King features a variety of Chinese California dishes — some from my Shanghainese and Cantonese grandmothers, a few from my everyday cooking, and dishes from Top Chef (including my Hong Kong Milk Tea Tiramisu!),” King stated through Instagram in February 2025. “The book is designed for all of you — easy, flavorful, impressive dishes for anyone eager to improve their cooking, and a way for me to share my tips while exploring the Asian pantry with you and exuding Californian vibes.”
Melissa King Is an Activist for Asian Americans and LGBTQ+ Causes
King disclosed that she donated 100% of the $10,000 Fan Favorite prize to charities supporting Black, LGBTQ+, and Asian-American communities.
“I participated in [Top Chef] as my true self, navigating a personal journey to test my abilities. After the competition, I received messages from people saying, ‘We noticed you on Top Chef, you’re Asian-American, and I am proud of you for representing our community,’” she recounted in a June 2020 interview with Bravo’s website.
King noted that many shared they “came out to their parents” thanks to her influence.
“Top Chef provided me a platform to voice issues I am passionate about,” she stated, looking back on her journey with the show.
