Roy Choi

Who he is: 

Roy Choi helped ignite the modern food-truck movement with Kogi BBQ in Los Angeles. He fused Korean and Mexican flavors and utilized social media to bring great food directly to the people in their neighborhoods. His work spans restaurants, community projects, and media. He’s known for linking cooking to place and people.

 

Why he matters: 

Choi democratized delicious food, proving high flavor doesn’t require high prices or fancy dining rooms. He treats the city as a classroom, learning from and serving local communities. His career blends creativity, entrepreneurship, and social impact. He demonstrates that a chef can honor their heritage and invent new traditions simultaneously.