David Chang Wins a Million Dollars for Industry Charity

Chef David Chang has made history, becoming the first ever celebrity to win a million dollars on ABC game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire', and then give it away again.

The founder of the Momofuku empire, author and television personality, appeared on the Sunday night game show to raise money for the Houston-based Southern Smoke Foundation, bagging them the biggest $1 million prize.

The non-profit was co-founded by chef Chris Shepherd in 2015, and continues to raise funds to give ongoing relief to restaurant workers during the coronavirus crisis. Chang has been a long time supporter of the foundation since participating in their annual fundraising festival a few years ago.

Chang lets his self-professed bravado win out when gameshow host Jimmy Kimmel asks him the final million-dollar question, in a bid to put the current hardships being experienced in the industry in the spotlight. “My gambling problem finally pays off,” Chang said in a tweet after the episode aired. “Since the government won’t help out restaurant workers... we have to do what we can to help out.”