LA Son | Roy Choi | Talks Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A memoir by chef Roy Choi, the creator of the Kogi food truck, sharing his personal struggles and journey to success in the culinary industry.

Key Insights

• 😋 The Kogi food truck movement had a significant impact on the culinary industry, inspiring many individuals to start their own food businesses.
• 📔 Roy Choi's book, "L.A. Son," delves into personal struggles and explores topics such as immigration, addiction, and the cultural aspects of Los Angeles.
• 😋 Roy Choi believes in using food as a way to bridge gaps, connect with others, and make a positive impact in underserved communities.

Transcript

CAT: I'm Cat and I'm a member of the Authors at Google Team. It's truly a pleasure for me to welcome chef Roy Choi and introduce his new book "L.A. Son" at Google L.A. today. Back in early 2009, Kogi was the first food truck to visit us. And I remember we had a long line of Googlers stretching around the block all eager to try Roy's delicious food.... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Roy Choi to write the book "L.A. Son"?

Roy Choi explains that he was initially hesitant to write a book about himself but was inspired by the overwhelming interest and questions from people about his food and its creation. He saw it as an opportunity to explore his own story and the impact of Kogi on others.

Q: How did Roy Choi confront the issue of writing a book about himself?

Choi describes how he had to overcome his shyness and hesitation to open up about his life and experiences. He realized that his story and the impact of his food were more significant than his personal reservations.

Q: What topics does "L.A. Son" touch upon?

The book delves into themes of immigration, addiction, being an outcast, finding one's voice, and filling voids with destructive elements. It also explores the cultural aspects of Los Angeles and the struggle of Asian-American children growing up in an environment where their food was seen as different and stigmatized.

Q: How does Roy Choi describe the food truck movement started by Kogi?

Choi sees the food truck movement as something that not only fed people but also created a wave of young entrepreneurs. He believes it sparked a change in the culinary industry and inspired many individuals to start their own businesses and pursue their passions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Roy Choi, born Korean and raised in Los Angeles, started the Kogi food truck and opened three restaurants in LA.

• He discusses the impact of Kogi and how it resonated with people, comparing it to the engineering innovations of Googlers.

• Choi explains that his book, "L.A. Son," is not just a chef book or a guide to starting a food truck, but a story about struggle and finding one's place in the world.