Top Chef’s Melissa King on why good things come to late bloomers

Top Chef’s Melissa King on why good things come to late bloomers
- October 6, 2026
- Alumnus Melissa King featured by WYouth
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At age five, Melissa King knew she wanted to be a chef. … Growing up in Los Angeles as the daughter of Chinese immigrants, King felt pushed by family and culture toward more traditional paths. She acquiesced long enough to get a degree in cognitive science from the University of California, Irvine, but all the while, she knew she really belonged in a kitchen.
For the full story, please visit WYouth.
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