By David Chang
Clarkson Potter Publishers, 2020. 288 pgs. Biography
David Chang is best known as the chef and owner of Momofuku Noodle Bar in Manhattan's East Village, although he has by now opened several more restaurants in addition to Momofuku. Chang is surprisingly open about challenges he has faced, including serious struggles with mental health that nearly cost him his life. Chang isn't afraid to admit when he was wrong or made mistakes, and what it cost him to learn those lessons. What he has learned along the way is relatable and even inspiring, and his journey as a chef becomes almost secondary to the description of his growth as a person.
It seems like the chef biographies I have read have all included stories of hard work and overcoming big challenges. But Chang's book stands out from the pack. There is a vulnerability, a readiness to admit imperfections, and a steely determination that I haven't often seen in biographies. There were even a few passages that I wrote down because they paint the world in a light I hadn't considered before. His observations have an unexpected wisdom, insight, and depth that make this an inspiring read. There is plenty of adult language in the book, but fans of biographies and stories of overcoming hardships should find a lot to love here.
BHG
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