Although she grew up the daughter of the culinary savant, Katie Chin never imagined she would follow in her mother’s footsteps. Not once did she ever imagine that she would take on the role of “Chef” in any of her professional endeavors. Now, not only has she earned the title of Chef, she has solidified her place in the culinary world as an acclaimed entrepreneur, advocate, and author.
However, there were a lot of steps in the 23 year career path to where she stands today.
“It was challenging for me because I had to let go of my ego and my former identity working for a film studio – which is very glamorous and exciting – and I had to actually work for my mom, who was the toughest boss I’ve ever had” she explains.
Her mother – renowned restaurateur and chef, Leeann Chin – became her boss and also her business partner. While Chin had previously worked at her mom’s restaurants in both the front and back of the house, she had to relearn how to work. Not only with food and her mother – but also how to work with her own strengths in a completely new world.
Chin was thirty-five years old when the mother-daughter duo released their joint cookbook, Everyday Chinese Cooking: Quick and Delicious Recipes from the Leeann Chin Restaurants. Following the success of their book release, the pair started a catering business. They even landed a feature on the Food Network show My Country, My Kitchen. Unexpectedly, Chin’s background in marketing ended up being quite essential to the success of their joint ventures.
“I tried to be really strategic about what we were doing– almost handling it like one of my TV shows. I came up with a plan, recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and outlined how we could compliment each other, rather than considering our contrasting styles a negative,” says Chin. Her understanding of the world from a business perspective created new opportunities for Chin and her mother – but this knowledge was not always welcomed with open arms.
Chin’s mother came to America as a 1st generation Chinese immigrant, and the differences in her experience and perspective of the world caused some dissonance between Chin and her mother. For example, prior to the premiere of their Food Network special, Chin took it upon herself to print fliers promoting their upcoming episode, handing them out to friends, family, and anyone who might be interested in tuning in.
“My mother pulled me aside and said, ‘The thing is, Chinese people don’t go around saying, Look at me! Look at me!’ In that moment, I was reduced to my six year old self,” she explains, “I felt so ashamed that she would say that to me… but at the same time, I knew I was doing the right thing.”
As early as the 1970s, Chin remembers being one of the few Chinese-American families in their neighborhood. Like most kids, she just wanted to blend in and felt a lot of shame and embarrassment regarding her heritage and culture. In addition to this, the generational gap between Chin and her mother contributed to disagreements and differing perspectives. However, even though her mom disagreed as to how they should approach their businesses, Chin was grateful for the new understanding she gained regarding her own cultural background as she relearned how to cook with her mom.
“I started to become very proud of my heritage– I became very proud of what she taught me, what food stands for in Chinese culture, and how it bridges people together,” she reminisces. “It’s even become a bridge for my children to be connected to their ancestors… throughout this time I went on a whole journey of self love, being able to cook with my mom. I really understand who I am, and where I come from.”
This path of rediscovery and cultural connection has taken Chin to places she never saw herself going. In fact, she has once again pivoted her skills to take on a new challenge – stepping into the role of playwright and actor. A dramatic reading of her one-woman show, Holy Shiitake: A Wokstar is Born, was hosted by Theatre Mu in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May of 2023.
Directed by Augsburg University’s Beliza Torres Narvaez, the show explores Chin’s relationship with her mother, her heritage, and all the formative experiences that have brought her to where she is now. With this show, Chin hopes to explore her own history while providing a story that many people in the Asian-American community might understand and relate to on both a personal and collective level.
More about Katie Chin here.
More about guest contributor, Jacey Mismash here.