King of the World
Reigning champion Melissa King, pictured on the set of “Top Chef All-Stars L.A.” Photo Ernesto Ruscio/Bravo
Sometimes it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.
During chaotic challenges on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” the loudest, most egomaniacal contestants take up a lot of airtime. But when judges step forth to proclaim the best dishes, it’s quiet and tranquil cheftestants like Melissa King who ultimately dominate.
As a California native, former Irvinite, and current San Francisco resident, King reigns as the most successful “Top Chef” contestant in the show’s seventeen seasons. Between her runs on season twelve (where she made it to the finals of “Top Chef Boston”) and season seventeen (where she won the title on “Top Chef All-Stars L.A.”), King has the distinction of nabbing the most challenge wins in the history of the show. And she did it all with quiet self-assurance.
The Vine connected virtually with King to ask about her Irvine roots, her upcoming role as a rotating “Top Chef” judge, and her future.
“Top Chef” judge Tom Colicchio appraises a dish King prepares. Photo Ernesto Ruscio/Bravo
“I spent a lot of my time at Irvine cooking for my roommates and diverse group of friends,” says King. “I was at UCI during the last two years of my bachelor’s degree and met and lived with a group of hip hop dancers from school. I was the only one that didn’t know how to dance, but I focused my energy on feeding them after practices and rehearsals. I also spent a lot of time eating around Orange County exploring Asian restaurants.”
Some of King’s favorites from her time in Irvine included bahn mis, rice bowls, and lots of boba. All of this eating and drinking helped to inform King’s style as a chef.
“I was a young chef at the time of season twelve,” King says. “I had trained under many executive chefs and was executing their visions but was still discovering my own perspective and mark in the culinary space. I was also much more timid and shy.”
Between seasons twelve and seventeen, King honed her skills further, and ultimately prevailed as the season’s winner.
“The first ‘Top Chef’ experience taught me to take more risks and believe in myself,” recalls King. “By season seventeen, you meet a matured version of me that knows exactly the type of cuisine I want to put forth. I had grown in my confidence as a chef and as a person.”
While many of her fellow “Top Chef” contestants share King’s confidence, they express it quite differently. Their self-assuredness might come across as abrasive or aggressive. King, on the other hand, rules with quiet tranquility.
“In general, I’m a pretty calm person under pressure,” King says. “I’ve learned that panicking only makes things worse and adds to our stress levels. For each challenge, my goal was to try my best, and if things didn’t work out or go my way then I’d at least enjoy the experience of it all.”
King’s latest “Top Chef” experience will take her in an entirely different direction. Instead of competing, she will serve as part of a rotating panel of judges in season eighteen. Serving as a judge on the upcoming “Top Chef Portland” allowed King to be challenged in a whole new way.
Fellow former “Top Chef” contestants Richard Blaise, King, and Gregory Gourdet will be a part of a rotating panel of judges in season eighteen of the show, “Top Chef Portland.” Photo David Moir/Bravo
“Judging is a lot harder than I expected and is a new skill that I’m learning to flex,” says King. “Articulating your feelings about a dish can sometimes be more challenging than just making the dish yourself.”
Despite the challenge, King is up to the task. As a two-time contestant, she brings an insider’s knowledge that helps her to be a better judge.
“I understand the exact pressures, challenges, and time restrictions the contestants have to face because I’ve dealt with it myself,” King says. “I feel being a chef and a former contestant allows me to analyze their dishes on a deeper level and also on a technical level.”
King’s role as a “Top Chef” judge is just one of the many challenges she takes on. In addition to her small batch sauces, clothing, partnerships, modeling, and cooking classes, she has some surprises in store for her fans.
“I love exploring the culinary industry from beyond the walls of a traditional restaurant,” says King. “I will also be a part of ‘Top Chef Amateurs’ on Bravo. I also have a few other projects in the works but you’ll hear about them soon enough!”
King’s devotees will have to employ her trademark serenity for the time being, and patiently wait for her announcements of projects to come. In the meantime, King expresses gratitude for all that she has experienced thanks to the show.
“I never thought I’d go from contestant to now judge on the upcoming season,” says King. “The experience has been very exciting and I’m grateful for every moment.”
King offers virtual cooking classes online. Bravo’s “Top Chef Portland” premieres on Thursday, April 1 from 8:00 – 9:15 pm ET/PT.
To read more about King, including her thoughts on who is “Top Chef’s” toughest judge and her ideal last meal, sign up for our newsletter.