, Guest Columnist
It's Not Just David Chang. Celebrity Chefs Are Sellouts.
It’s good that he apologized for trying to take ownership of “chili crunch,” but we still have to tackle the wacky concept of a celebrity chef.
A celebrity chef.
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David Chang’s public apology and the announcement that his company Momofuku would back off of an attempt to trademark the term “chili crunch” feel like standard damage control for a popular chef and the empire he’s built.
Like any sensible leader, politician, or public figure serving as a hood ornament to an operation, it’s easier to say you’re sorry and retreat than stand by your convictions unless you want to be ousted, too.