David Chang has found himself in hot water over 2024 chili — but he’s found support in unlikely places.
The founder of the Momofuku restaurant talked about his recent controversy in the latest episode Food and winepodcast users Staniol Labudovi. The episode was axed on Tuesday, August 6, but was filmed live in 2024. Food and wine Classic in Aspen in June.
Host Kat Kinsman quickly asked in 2006 Food and wine The Best New Chef winner on the backlash he faced after trademarking the ‘chili crunch’. Chang explained that he is willing to answer questions, within some parameters.
“It’s hard for me to talk about it because there are some things I can’t legally talk about, but that’s not it either. I’m really afraid to talk about something that will be misinterpreted or misunderstood,” said the father of two. “Then again, at this point, I could say anything. I just know that people may never believe me. So part of me is like, ‘What am I supposed to … say?’”
In March, lawyers for Chang’s company sent cease-and-desist letters to food brands using the terms “chili crunch” and “chile crunch” on product labels. Guardwhich first shared the news on April 4, reported that the letters asked the brands to immediately drop the use of the phrases.
Momofuku chili crunch.
Momofuku/Target
Recipients shared their outrage online in April. Michelle Tew, founder of Homiah, described receiving Momofuku’s message as “a punch in the gut.” Barbie star Simu Liu and director of content for MìLà, said Momofuku was “misusing companies” after the frozen dumpling company received the letter.
Only eight days after the article from Guard published, Chang continued his The David Chang Show and said his company would not seek further action.
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“The last thing I ever wanted to be was to be seen as an enemy of the AAPI community,” Chang told Kinsman on Staniol Labudovi“which makes me very sad because I’ve really spent my career trying to put it on a platform that’s positive.”
He continued: “The last thing I want to do is appear to be a barrier or to limit small businesses. The way we looked at it was that we were also a small company because some people were sent [cease-and-desist letters] that were significantly bigger than us or raised more money than us or made more sales than us.”
Despite his intent, the backlash spread beyond Momofuku — and the comments went beyond disappointment.
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David Chang and his wife Grace. Inhar photo
“I think it crossed the line when my wife was getting hateful comments and a lot of horrible things. At that point, it was a little unsafe to be out there,” Chang said. “And there was a lot of hate, a lot of people that I thought wouldn’t say something negative, they said something negative.”
Still others pleasantly surprised Chrissy and Dave have dinner out star showing support.
“One of the first people to call me during this whole thing over the last few months was Guy [Fieri],” Chang said, adding that it wasn’t “just one or two” calls. “It was a few follow-ups to make sure I was in a good place mentally. It’s funny how it all works out sometimes.”
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Back in 2009, Chang was overshadowed Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives star’s fashion while speaking on a New York Food and Wine Festival panel alongside Anthony Bourdain.
“I made fun of his shades and his looks,” Chang recalled. “You know, in those moments you don’t think about how you can hurt someone’s feelings and that they are somehow above everything. Even then, Guy was massive. So you just don’t think it’s going to hurt someone’s feelings until you know it is.”
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Source: HIS Education