Yahoo Finance Celebrity chef David Chang donates top ‘Millionaire’ prize to restaurant workers
Momofuku founder David Chang has become the first celebrity to win the grand prize of $1m on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? .
The celebrity chef will donate the top prize to restaurant workers who have been impacted by the pandemic.
For his winning question on Sunday’s show, which the contestant phoned ESPN journalist Mina Kimes for help with, Chang was asked to name the first US president to have electricity in the White House.
"This is terrifying," Chang said before landing on President Benjamin Harrison, not knowing if his answer was correct.
"Always wanted to hold a giant check on television," writer and producer Alan Yang, who presented Chang with his prize money, wrote on Twitter. "Thanks @MillionaireTV! Asian trivia dream team ftw."
Always wanted to hold a giant check on television. Thanks @millionairetv! Asian trivia dream team ftw 🇰🇷🇹🇼 @davidchang @minakimes pic.twitter.com/s1HBrNAZZQ
— Alan Yang 楊維榕 (@alanyang) November 30, 2020
"Having a million dollars right now in this moment, is a game changer for many, many families," Chang said in a clip of last night’s episode. "And yes, half a million is as well – and I want to say 'No, just take the money!' – but I'm not."
Chang would have walked away with $500,000 if he hadn't opted to answer the final question.
"Since the government won't help out restaurant workers...we have to do what we can to help out," Chang tweeted after winning the show.
Chang's donation will go to the Southern Smoke Foundation, which was started in 2015 by chef Chris Shepherd.
The Houston-based organization tweeted about Chang's win, writing: "WE WON A MILLION DOLLARS!"
WE WON A MILLION DOLLARS!!! #TAKINGCAREOFOUROWN https://t.co/985Op7RVnz
— Southern Smoke (@SouthernSmokeTX) November 30, 2020
"I'm so honored that Dave chose Southern Smoke as his charity," Shepherd told CNN. "Now, more than ever, with indoor dining shut down in many parts of the country and temperatures dropping to prohibit outdoor dining, food and beverage industry employees are desperate."
Read More: David Chang opens up about his regret over Anthony Bourdain's suicide
