The Girl Who Became King: A Memoir

by Melissa King

From award-winning chef, author, television personality, and activist Melissa King comes an intimate, captivating memoir about family, food, and finding her voice as a queer Chinese American chef

Growing up, Melissa King lived for the moment she would come home from school, grab her prized meat cleaver, and call her mom at work for instructions on how to prepare dinner for her family. She already knew cooking was her future, but she didn’t know just how much she’d have to fight to make that dream a reality.

Caught between two cultures growing up, King felt like she was stuck in a box that was only getting smaller. Her Shanghainese and Cantonese heritage meant that her immigrant parents had certain expectations—none of which included going to culinary school or falling in love with women. American culture also dictated that restaurant kitchens were a man’s world. But trying to live by these rules felt like no life at all. So King broke the mold, ending up in some of the most exciting fine dining kitchens in San Francisco and finding a home in its queer community. But after relentlessly working her way up from arranging cold appetizers to manning the meat station, and embracing her multilayered identity, she began to feel the culture she all but left behind begin to pull at her.

When she entered Top Chef as a reluctant contestant, inspired by her grandmother’s advice to follow her heart, her signature flavors—seasonal dishes melding California and Chinese cuisines—awakened and flourished as she looked to her heritage and hometown for inspiration. And being in the public eye connected her with her parents in a new way, allowing them to come to a loving mutual understanding of each other’s strengths and flaws.

In this heartfelt memoir, King shows that empowerment comes from embracing all the different ingredients that make up who she is, and believing in herself against the odds.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Food, Biography, Queer

336 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2026

Reviews

[Mai T.]

ANHPI TBR

Memoir March TBR

Non-fiction November TBR

Pride TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press

[ronni c · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love food writing. Cookbooks, memoirs, essays. And I’m also Queer. So when I heard that Melissa King was releasing a memoir, I was so excited to get my hands on it; I was not disappointed. It’s fast-paced but full of detail. She writes with such passion for what she does; the culinary arts really shine on the page. It’s inspiring to see someone so determined to achieve their dreams.

While her journey to culinary stardom was inspiring, I thought her Queer journey was especially moving. Her first experience at San Francisco Pride stuck out to me. It reminded me of my first pride— the freedom to exist without fear or judgment. King does an excellent job of exuding Queer joy despite the hardships. One passage that really stuck with me:

“We don’t just come out once—we come out over and over. Every day. At the coffee shop. At the company holiday party. Meeting new friends or catching up with old ones.”

She captures the daily Queer experience with breathtaking accuracy. I felt seen.

I would recommend this memoir to anyone who wants to read about the behind-the-scenes of chef stardom, a story about coming into your own, or for the first-gen American experience.

Thank you, NetGalley, Melissa King, and The Dial Press for the eARC!

[Joanne Lui · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I became aware of Melissa King was not actually on Top Chef because I didn’t start watching until later seasons. The first time I saw Melissa King’s image was on a pint of Hong Kong milk tea ice cream at my local Whole Foods. I bought it immediately, amazed that someone had made an ice cream from a drink that is so central to my culture.

Eventually I did binge Top Chef during the pandemic, and I admired Melissa even more as I watched her elevate the food of our culture and bring it before a national audience.

Melissa’s memoir felt in some ways like reading a piece of my childhood as an immigrant from Hong Kong. At points I had to stop and take a break because her descriptions of her struggles growing up and the tension amongst her parents and grandparents brought up some very raw emotions in me.

I really respect how unflinching this memoir was, especially knowing that she wrote it herself and did not use a ghost writer. The sections about Top Chef are interesting and illuminating, sure, but it’s her honesty in other aspects of her life, such as feeling like an outsider as a Chinese American and a queer woman afraid to come out, that really touched me and makes this book such a worthwhile read.

Thank you to The Dial Press for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness I've been so excited for this memoir! It was amazing learning about Melissa's life and experiences. Hearing about her journey, Top Chef experiences, and post reality TV fame only confirmed my belief that she's a badass.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa King is in my top 5 of all-time Top Chef contestants. This insightful, funny, and touching memoir might push her to the top of that same list.

Touching on her early childhood, her teens and young adulthood, Melissa is open about her family stresses, her struggles with sexuality, and the expectations of her immigrant parents. I found the chapters focusing on the relationship with her dad especially important.

One of the things I've always liked and admired about Melissa is her pure love for food. While she has worked in high-end kitchens all over the world, she's happiest eating with locals in dark alleys.

Thanks to the publishers, NetGalley and Melissa King for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always excited when a publisher invites me to read an ARC, and I was especially intrigued that this book, The Girl Who Became King by Melissa King, was the memoir of a chef that, to be honest, I’d never heard of! I’ve been collecting cookbooks, reading food/chef memoirs, and watching cooking shows for several decades, rushing home from school to watch the Galloping Gourmet and everything on PBS (yes, I’m old), but I’ve never watched Top Chef. So, I eagerly jumped into this book. All I can say is that if Chef King’s food is even half as delicious, life-changing, inspiring, and beautiful as her writing and storytelling, then it’s no surprise that she is indeed Top Chef, and so much more. I just finished the book this morning, and perhaps I should have let my thoughts marinate and my tears dry, but one thing I know is that this memoir is one of the best books I’ve read in a very, very long time.

Chef King, a queer Shanghainese Cantonese American, writes with love, insight, vulnerability, often harsh reality and heartbreaking honesty, and respect for her multiple “families” she not only was born into but also chose throughout her life so far: her parents, sister, beloved grandma Sabrina Popo and grandfather Phillip Gong Gong, and other “aunties and uncles” in her Southern California Chinese American community, her high school/college/culinary school and restaurant families, and her LBGTQ+ family. She has persevered and bucked traditions, the expectations and judgements of others, misogyny, and homophobia. Throughout, from a very young age, she knew that food was her “love language” (an often overused term, but so fitting here) and one that was her “way of expressing gratitude, care, and respect beyond our words.” The behind-the-scenes chapters about the restaurant industry, from Michelin-starred restaurants to neighborhood joints and the Top Chef productions, were fascinating and gave me a deeper appreciation for the industry and those who choose this profession.

As Chef King says, she has “blossomed into a version of me that had always been there, patiently waiting beneath the surface. A girl who deserved to be seen.” This magnificent, talented woman deserves not only to be seen but also to be heard. This book will stay with me for a long time, and Chef King? This 72-year-old white woman could not be happier about that! Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press for the opportunity to read this eARC. My review is my unbiased opinion.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Who Became King is a beautiful, honest, and deeply vulnerable memoir about identity, family, resilience, and learning to choose yourself.

Melissa King shares her journey of discovering who she is as a Chinese American, as the daughter of immigrants, and as a gay woman. She is incredibly open about her upbringing and the difficult experiences that shaped her, including abuse, racism, discrimination, and the process of coming to terms with her sexuality.

What struck me most was that despite everything she endured, Melissa never writes from a place of hatred or bitterness. Her kindness and openheartedness come through in every chapter. There is so much honesty in the way she reflects on her past while still embracing where she comes from. Her Chinese heritage and her American upbringing aren't competing parts of her identity. They are both part of her.

So many of Melissa's reflections resonated with me, especially her realization that no one gets to define her worth.

One line that really stayed with me:

“I convinced myself that putting myself last was the selfless thing to do. But in reality, it was self-sabotage.”

I also loved getting to experience Melissa's Top Chef journey through both seasons. But my favorite moment in the entire book was when her mom became her sous chef during a Top Chef challenge.

Melissa grew up helping her mom cook, and now the roles were reversed. There was something so poetic and beautiful about that full-circle moment. Melissa won the challenge, and she and her mom both considered it one of the best days of their lives. I loved seeing how food became more than just a career for Melissa. It became a connection to her family, her culture, and ultimately herself.

This quote perfectly captures what the journey meant:

“Embracing my love of food has empowered me to embrace every layer of who I am: my Chinese heritage, my American upbringing, and all the parts of me that felt too much and not enough.”

The Girl Who Became King is ultimately a story about what happens when you stop trying to fit yourself into the version of who you think you are supposed to be and start embracing every part of who you actually are.

A heartfelt, inspiring memoir that left me feeling like I had gotten to know Melissa beyond the chef I watched on television.

[Dawn Griffith Hansard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Top Chef and Melissa King was one of my favorite cheftestants. I WA absolutely thrilled to have an opportunity to read this ARC through #NetGalley.
Melissa King has written a thoughtful and honest portrayal of her struggles and successes throughout her life regarding her family, her sexuality and her career. Such a great book!

[melhara · Rating 5 out of 5]

October 6, 2026 Review: Happy Publishing Day!

I'm going to come right out and say it - this was my favourite memoir that I've read this year (out of the 13 that I've read so far)!

I used to love to watch Top Chef (as well as MasterChef, Chopped, and any other cooking competition show) back in high school but stopped once we got rid of cable TV... so I've never watched Melissa King when she competed on Top Chef (or heard of her before reading this book). Nevertheless, this book helped me fill in those blanks.

"I was born a woman into two cultures that valued men above all - and queer in a world that fears and even kills some of us."

Yes, this memoir touches upon her experience competing in Top Chef (which was very intense and interesting to read about), but it's also a memoir that explores her experience growing up Chinese-American to immigrant parents (something many of us across the diaspora will be able to relate to), being a child of divorce, being queer in a very Christian and Chinese community, pursuing her culinary dreams despite her family's disapproval, navigating the culinary world as a female, Asian AND queer chef, and reconnecting with her family through food.

"With an inner voice shaped by generations of family duty and cultural expectations, I spiraled, jumping to the worst-case scenario. If they knew the true me, I'd be the biggest disappointment to everyone - to the Chinese community, to the King family, and most heartbreakingly, to my mom and dad. I'd be an embarrassment, a failure, and I'd mark my parents as failures too. They'd have to wear the shame I carried inside me.

I already felt like a disappointment in the King family professionally. I wasn't going to be a doctor, like all the King cousins. I wasn't going to have money to take care of my parents in their old age. I wouldn't be the daughter they could rely on, and that ate away at me. I felt selfish for pursuing cooking.

What was worse? Being a chef or being gay?"

I was completely invested in King's life story, her coming out journey, and reading about her passion for cooking. While her time on Top Chef was definitely the most interesting part of the book, the strength of the memoir can also be found in her stories about her family and culture, which were at times moving and relatable (as a fellow Canto Asian-Canadian who grew up with family in the restaurant business, there was so much I could relate to!).

Needless to say, I will definitely be looking up the old Top Chef episodes and checking out her cookbook!

*All quotes are taken from an Advanced Readers Copy and may change prior to the release of the final copy.*

**I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration, but all opinions are my own.**

_______________________
If you like the following books, then you might enjoy The Girl Who Became King or vice-versa:

[Brice Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & The Dial Press For the ARC!

Melissa King’s The Girl Who Became King is a deliciously low-key food memoir that finds its flavor in the details.

I love books by chefs. I can’t help myself. Inevitably, they almost always follow the same structure—idiosyncratic childhood, deep pain relating to identity, grueling experiences in high-stress kitchens, and ultimately some sort of contentment. The Girl Who Became King has all of those ingredients, but the familiarity of the form works in its favor for a simple reason: like every great chef, King knows that a dish’s “it factor” is something that transcends technique.

At one point, King recalls an experience where a fellow chef encourages her to remember “we’re just cooking,” and that could almost be a thesis for the book with its brisk but comforting pace. There are hard moments in the memoir, such as the author’s experience coming out to her family, but they are situated in the perspective of someone who just really enjoys what she does. Lesser authors might find drama in trauma, but here, pain is informative, not definitive.

This mindset also allows King to give her full attention to every detail. Food is described with sumptuous excess, so readers never forget that taste is a gift. The patriarchal volatility of the kitchen is interrogated just as thoughtfully as the Eurocentric politics of fine dining, so we always remember that flavor matters more than fame. The frenetic anxiety of Top Chef is almost all-consuming in its immediacy, so it’s clear how difficult it is to maintain the artifice of reality TV.

More than all of that, though, the book’s key distinctive is in its title—The Girl Who Became King. This is ultimately a memoir about the pleasure of becoming who you want to be. King spends so much time celebrating her family, even as she recognizes the pain they have caused her. She champions her queer identity, even while she recognizes how hard it was to get there. She seems rightfully proud of herself, and by the end of the book, I think readers will feel proud of her too.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this memoir. I have seen Melissa on the Food Network before and was always a fan, but I would not have considered myself a super fan going into this memoir. Still, her story sounded way too compelling to pass up, and honestly, chef memoirs are some of my favorites because they always have such layered, emotional, and fascinating lives behind the food.

What I loved most about this book was how deeply personal and honest it felt. Melissa really opens herself up and shares how being queer and growing up with Shanghainese and Cantonese immigrant parents shaped her identity, her struggles, and ultimately her strength. As someone married to an Asian man, I deeply understood and connected to the pressure and expectations she talks about from family and culture. There is often such a heavy emphasis on achievement, success, and following a very specific path, and when you step outside of that, it can create so much conflict and hurt. Melissa captured that tension so beautifully and honestly, while also showing the love that still exists underneath it all.

I admired her so much for telling her story so openly and vulnerably. She had so many things working against her, from cultural expectations to sexism in professional kitchens to struggling with her own identity, and yet she still fought for the life she wanted and became such an incredibly talented and successful chef. I also loved seeing how food connected everything together: family, culture, grief, identity, love, and self-acceptance.

This honestly felt like the perfect memoir to read during the transition from AAPI Heritage Month into Pride Month because it celebrates both identities so beautifully. It is heartfelt, inspiring, emotional, and ultimately about learning to fully embrace every part of yourself. Such a meaningful read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa King, and The Dial Press for the eARC of this book.

[Amanda W · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I will admit I don't remember Melissa King from either of her Top Chef appearances. I opened this book expecting to get a hardscrabble struggle to make it to the top. Instead, I read a relatively bland retelling of the life of a woman who consistently lets her own self-doubt get in her way. And I think this is what bothers me about this book. There is no real struggle, outside of King’s struggle with herself. There are no high stakes. Despite her constant worry that her family is disappointed in her, King has led a pretty charmed life. Her family mostly supports her, even though she spends most of the book trying to convince herself they don't. She has no trouble making friends or attracting romantic partners. Most of her early job opportunities just seemed to fall right into her lap, and she excelled during her time at the CIA and had no issues there. King is never rejected for a job, passed over for someone else, or harassed in the kitchen. The amount of opportunities that are simply just handed to her without her doing a single thing is huge, but King doesn’t seem to see herself as incredibly lucky. She is too busy manufacturing hardships in her own head.

I think she finally begins to realize this during her second time on Top Chef, when she understands that her over-analyzing of things is actually stopping her from excelling, and for me that was the most powerful moment in the book. The only time she really seems in the zone is when she talks about her second appearance on Top Chef. Her descriptions of her food absolutely sing, and the action just leaps off the page. Sadly, after that, there is a shift to a very “PR” type of language in the book, very glossy and manufactured, with King gushing about opportunity after opportunity that she has finally received due to her own merit. That has to feel good for her, but it was not very interesting to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review!

[Firetruckmama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“The Girl Who Became King” is a memoir by Melissa King. If like me, you’ve no idea who Ms. King is, this book does a great job introducing you to who she is, along with some background material. A lot of the book focuses on her bringing up, trying to feel comfortable in her own skin, and becoming comfortable in society as the person she is. Ms. King has an interesting story and I felt, at times, like she was discussing her life over a cup of tea (Hong Kong Milk Tea, please!) - her writing was that inviting. While I’ve seen some TV cooking reality shows, I’v never watched Top Chef, so reading about her experience(s) on the show was interesting. Also interesting was her backstory re: her love of feeding people and wanting to be a chef, difficult in a traditional Asian family where pressure is to make money. I honestly believe that Ms. King is richer in more ways, but that’s a personal opinion. I would strongly recommend this book to people curious about the restaurant industry, learning about cooking school, and learning to feel comfortable with who you are.

[Denice Leong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen Melissa King in my IG feed and knew she was a chef, but had not seen any of the Top Chefs shows. When I saw she had a book that she was promoting on the Drew Barrymore show, I decided to give the audiobook a listen and so glad I did. Finished the book in 1 sitting and honestly I didn't know she was Chinese. I kept mentally thinking of Kristen Kish the other tv chef who is Korean and then I'm scold myself for mixing up the 2 Asian chefs. Being an ABC myself, so much of her story resonated with me especially her dynamics with her parents and the extended family. Oh the judgement from family is so spot on. I didn't realize she was living and working in my hometown either though I have heard of the SF restaurants so that was another fun surprise. Bottom line, you don't need to know anything about her to enjoy this memoir. It's honest, vulnerable, funny, reflective, and entertaining way to see what it takes to make it in the culinary world and how she became who she is today. Highly recommend the audiobook that she narrates herself.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been a fan of Top Chef from season one, I loved receiving this very generous memoir from Melissa King, a memorable contestant. So well written and honest, she shares her history with her loving but extremely traditional Chinese family, especially her complicated relationship with her challenging father. How she was able to come out to him years after doing so with her mother and sister was heartbreaking. From a very early age, Melissa knew she was two things -- gay and obsessed with food. "Food is our unspoken love language -- our way of expressing gratitude care and respect beyond our words. This is what people cme for. This is why we do what we do." Her experiences on Top Chef were eye opening, and I don't think I'll watch that show the same after reading about what they go through. But it is lovely reading how she has come of age and is completely comfortable in her skin.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl Who Became King is a memoir by Melissa King, two-time Top Chef contestant and Season 17 All-Stars winner. If you’re coming to this expecting behind-the-scenes reality TV tea, just know that’s not what this is. King spends far more time on her personal life and early career than on her time on Top Chef — and honestly, it’s the better book for it.

What she gives you instead is an open, brave account of growing up as a gay Chinese American chef, including a really moving portrait of her relationship with her father. King and I have essentially nothing in common, but that’s the magic of a well-written memoir, isn’t it? You finish it feeling like you’ve walked around in someone else’s shoes for a while.

A great read, and I’d imagine equally great on audio. Recommended for foodie memoir lovers, Top Chef fans, and anyone who appreciates a memoir that really lets you in.

PS: Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press for providing me with an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

[Danna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Girl Who Became King is a memoir by Top Chef star Melissa King. I have watched some Top Chef, but I wasn’t familiar with King before picking up her book.

Overall, King has an interesting life story: an American-born Chinese to two hardworking immigrants in LA, King’s childhood wasn’t easy. I enjoyed hearing about her parents, who sound like interesting and incredible humans in their own right. And King is gay, so we also hear about her evolution in understanding and accepting her sexuality, alongside her journey to chefdom.

However, I was overall disappointed in The Girl Who Became King. For an interesting life, the writing itself fell flat and I found myself bored even though I didn’t want to be. I am sure, as you can see from other reviews, that this book will be a hit for some readers, but it didn’t work for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Chef’s kiss*!

Memoirs are one of my favorite genres, and this (and Chanel Miller’s Know My Name) are tied as my top two favorites of recent years.

This is a no-holds barred journey of self-discovery that, honestly, I felt like could be made into a compelling and visually stunning movie — there were so many descriptions (first queer haircut, riding an unmarked van and immediately getting thrust into taping for her first Top Chef run, getting outfitted at Thom Browne for the Met Gala) that played out like a cinematic montage. (Jon M. Chu -- are you reading this?! ;) )

But what I loved the most was the introspection, vulnerability, and the way that Mel’s love for her craft, her people (biological family, chosen family, culinary compatriots, LGBTQIA+ community, Asian Americans, etc), and — ultimately, eventually — herself deepens and clarifies in the telling of her remarkable journey.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most people know Melissa King from her appearances on Top Chef, but this memoir shows us there is a lot more to this extraordinary chef and person. Starting with her childhood, she describes in frank detail her painful childhood, when she felt like an outcast both because of her Asian heritage and her confusion about her sexuality. Gradually we see her come into her own both as a cook and as a member of the queer community. Her description of her first Pride is both glorious and heart-wrenching. She doesn’t shy away from admitting her doubts about herself, but she is equally frank about her growth and success. I came away with great admiration for this amazing individual and I’m so glad I read this memoir.

Many thanks to Disl Press/Rsndom House and NetGalley for allowing me to access this advance reader’s copy. All opinions are my own.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

I have always been a Melissa King fan, since her first run on Top Chef, I even got to see her at a Ranch 99 opening event and she was so nice! Was excited to get an early copy of this read and to learn so much more about her life. It was amazing to learn about how much she prioritizes family, whether a grandparent or her parents, she prioritizes them and values all that she learned from them cooking wise. She uses food to nurture others, just as her family would. Loved learning about her journey in so many California kitchens and the takeaways she took from each leader and peer to get her to where she is now. I really enjoyed this memoir and would recommend especially if a top chef fan!

[Jamie Cha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give the book 4.5 stars. I really like good autobiographies. This was a really good autobiographie. I didn't know of the author before reading her book. I really like the story.

As someone who struggles in life and doesn't believe she deserves everything, I could relate with the author. I was happy to read that ger confidence got stronger by the end of the book.

The book is fairly easy to read. The chapters are fairly short. I finished the book in less than 2 weeks.

It's a book with a happy ending. The book gives you someone to root for. It's a book with heart but also challenges

I look forward to reading more from the author. I am thankful to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

[Sarai Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy release day to Melissa King!!!

Although Melissa’s story reminded me a bit of Kristin Kish, this was another great memoir from inside the kitchen. I loved getting a look at her journey, both in and out of the culinary world. Now I need to go back and watch Melissa’s season of Top Chef!

Sara | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Threads | Blog

[Patty Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading memoirs from people I have never heard of, especially if they are a chef! Loved learning about Melissa's life and everything she had to go through to get where she is. Especially loved the vulnerability in telling personal family stories.

She has gained a new fan in me...And now I need to go watch her seasons on Top Chef and, hopefully, one day I will get to taste her food.

Read this!!

Thank you to Dial Press and the author for providing a free copy of this book through NetGalley.

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent memoir by chef Melissa King who shares the challenges she faced as she pursued her passion for cooking - including family pressures and expectations, coming to terms with her own sexuality, and finding her place in the restaurant world as an Asian woman. If you're a foodie, a fan of Top Chef, or just interested in learning someone's story (we all have one!), I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Anjali · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know of Melissa from her Top Chef days but didn’t know much else about her. The book provides considerable detail and background about her life before TC, and her childhood was much heavier and darker than I would have guessed. My three star rating stems from the writing style, and I can’t pinpoint why exactly. At times it felt too factual, or too casual, or too brief. The style didn’t resonate with me even though it did feel like someone telling me these stories in a long, in person chat. All I know is the style pulled me out at times but I’m sure it will resonate with other readers.

[Amy Kett · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This was a super solid memoir. King does a great job at pacing and balance, and there is a lot to balance- being a woman in a male dominated field, being queer and choosing a non-traditional path in a more conservative family, being Asian in a super Euro-centric field, the list goes on. I appreciated how she King managed to talk about all of these things in an intersectional way while maintaining her own individual voice reflecting her own personal experience. I think that can be a hard needle to thread. I really enjoyed it.

[Beth Knipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

I love getting to see into the minds of people I've watched on TV and admire. King does a great job of not playing any woe is me card and also looks at generational trauma and the effect it has on her and her parents.

Great balance of past and future -- and how the past has shaped her.

I also could hear her voice "narrating" this as I read.

[Ayana Ayana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Girl Who Became King" is a compelling read that offers a glimpse into the life of someone I've only known from television. It provided insightful perspectives, revealing layers of her personality and experiences. Although my aspirations differ from hers as a chef, I found aspects of her journey deeply relatable. The narrative is presented in a pure and thoughtful manner, making it a truly engaging

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Random House, The Dial Press, for providing the copy of The Girl Who Became King by Melissa King. I’m so glad I started reading memoirs because I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down, and spent an embarrassing amount of time reading it today. I appreciated how open and vulnerable King was about her life, and her writing style made an otherwise heavy subject easy to read. I was already a fan of her cooking skills, but this book made me a fan of her heart, 5 stars

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspiring memoir! Melissa King explores her identity, family, and perseverance through her journey in becoming a chef. She battles being queer, a Chinese American and a woman. Her struggles with her family and her passion for cooking made it a difficult road but she learned if she kept true to herself and worked hard she could be successful. Her perseverance is admirable. I learned a lot about the food business and the struggles of being gay in a male-dominated environment.