Chef Chang Nabs $1 Million For Charity On 'Millionaire' Amid Net Worth Struggle

After winning $1 million for a charitable group backing restaurants during the pandemic, chef David Chang said he’s still working to figure out how to make his own businesses survive.

Chang on Sunday became the first celebrity contestant to win the top $1 million prize on ABC’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” competing in support of the Southern Smoke Foundation, a charitable group set up to provide financial relief for a food and beverage industry, including those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chang himself was forced to shut down some of his restaurants. At the dawn of the pandemic, the 43-year-old closed his Nishi restaurant in New York and CCDC in Washington, both part of his Momofuku chain.

Despite his big win, his estimated $60 million net worth has not been impacted by the game show victory. Speaking to USA Today after the show aired, Chang said he’s still figuring out what works for the food and beverage industry during the pandemic.

“We've pivoted like every business has done, and we're focusing a lot of our efforts on consumer product goods,” he said. “We're selling salts and spices and soy sauce and things, and we're very fortunate that we have those means.”

Speaking to the New York Times magazine in May, Chang said that the restaurant business was already struggling with limited openings and seating capacity restrictions.

“I’m not being hyperbolic in any way,” he said. “Without government intervention, there will be no service industry whatsoever.”

Chang said he was reluctant to go on the show because of the pandemic, but did so in order to support the charity. Facing the odds of missing the final question, or walking with $32,000 for Southern Smoke, Chang said his adrenaline got the best of him.

“We are in such a bad shape that half a million dollars isn't enough – and neither is a million dollars – but I wanted to put emphasis on it and raise awareness of the problem, so it was worth the chance,” he said.

The prospects for some semblance of normalcy will have to wait for a COVID-19 vaccine. While some European countries are easing their restrictions, many U.S. states are in various stages of lockdown. Los Angeles, the second-most populated city in the nation, imposed a three-week ban on in-person dining last week.

“Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.