David Chang – Eat a Peach: A Memoir
Summary: In „Eat a Peach,“ celebrity chef David Chang offers a brutally honest and deeply personal account of his journey from an angry, directionless college graduate to the founder of the Momofuku restaurant empire. Chang candidly discusses his struggles with depression, anxiety, and the toxic aspects of restaurant culture, revealing the personal costs of his professional success and his complicated relationship with his Korean-American identity. The memoir goes beyond typical chef autobiographies by examining the darker side of culinary ambition, including his battles with anger management, the pressure of maintaining multiple restaurants, and his fears of being exposed as a fraud despite his acclaim. Chang also reflects on how becoming a father forced him to confront his demons and reconsider what success and happiness actually mean, offering insights into the intersection of mental health, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.
Why we like it: We love this book because it breaks the glamorous facade of celebrity chef culture and provides an unflinchingly honest portrait of mental health struggles in a high-pressure creative industry, helping to destigmatize conversations about depression and anxiety. David Chang’s vulnerability and self-awareness make this not just a food memoir but a profound exploration of identity, ambition, and the courage it takes to acknowledge one’s flaws while building something meaningful, making it essential reading for anyone grappling with perfectionism, cultural identity, or the costs of success.