The next generation of culinary artisans are changing up the industry. These artisans have a whole new approach to reaching and satisfying the next generation consumer. In this podcast we will explore chefs and artisans from around the world diving into their story and passion.

In this episode of Chef AF, I chat with Chef Shirley Chung, about finding her love for cooking, working in several superstar chef’s kitchens and sharing her Chinese food heritage through her Chinese American cuisine at Ms Chi Cafe in Culver City, California.

Chung is a native of Beijing and moved to the United States to get her degree in business management. She talks about loving food growing up and says, “when I first came to America the way for me to learn english I guess the fastest way naturally was through food.” Chung got her business degree from Cal State Hayward and began working in Silicon Valley for six years. In early 2000 when the dot-com bubble burst, Chung decided to go to the California Culinary Academy and train in culinary arts. This is when she discovered her calling.

Chung knew she wanted to work for the best and learn from the best. She had an impressive start to her career, she started her externship at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry, and then went to Bouchon in Yountville. Chung opened Bouchon’s Las Vegas location and then moved to Restaurant Guy Savoy in Caesars Palace. Chung says about that time, “Being in Las Vegas is definitely like a really amazing stage to work for all of the celebrity chefs from all over the world.” Adding, “So I got a reputation to become the opener for all celebrity chefs.” She opened Mario Batali’s B&B Ristorante and in 2010 Chung became the Executive Chef of Jose Andres’ China Poblano. She has twelve new restaurant openings under her belt.

Chef Chung shares that she struggled with depression and began to feel burned out. Chung takes a mental health leave and during that time Top Chef’s casting was looking for Chung. In 2013, Chef Chung was a contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef Season 11 where she finished top 3. She was invited back to Top Chef Season 14 where she was the runner up.

We talk about Ms Chi Cafe, Chung and her husband Jimmy’s restaurant in Culver City, California. They opened in 2018 even though Jimmy wanted to open an Oyster Bar. Chung says she wanted to do Chinese American comfort food and make everything she literally wanted to eat. You can get Chef Shirley Chung’s Vegan Scallion Pancake recipe on Chef AF.

Chung talks about surviving the pandemic, selling on Goldbelly and co-founding the Dumpling Mafia NFT, a chef driven NFT on this episode of Chef AF “It’s All Food.” You can check out this episode and more on Spotify!