From Golden Arches to Golden Opportunities: Chef John Liu's Journey from McDonald's to Culinary Excellence at Chifa LA

88tumble
Sep 23
5 min read

In the bustling food scene of Los Angeles, few stories capture the essence of the American Dream quite like that of Chef John Liu, executive chef and co-owner of the acclaimed Chifa LA restaurant in Eagle Rock. Liu's remarkable journey from a teenage McDonald's crew member to a Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized chef exemplifies the transformative power of early work experience—a story now being celebrated through McDonald's innovative 1 in 8 program

The McDonald's Foundation: Building Culinary Grit at 15

Liu's culinary journey took an unexpected but formative turn when he was just 15 and a half years old, working his first formal job at McDonald's for three months. This brief but impactful experience left what Liu describes as "a really deep impression" on him, introducing him to the fundamental principles that would later define his approach to professional cooking.

"I saw how the operations side works—it was just pure efficiency and consistency," Liu reflected in a 2022 interview. The experience taught him invaluable lessons about kitchen management, operational excellence, and the importance of maintaining consistent quality—skills that would prove instrumental in his later success as a restaurateur.

The McDonald's experience instilled in Liu a deep appreciation for systematic kitchen operations and the discipline required to deliver consistent results under pressure. These foundational principles would become the backbone of his culinary philosophy, blending creative vision with operational.

John Liu Received Honorary McDonald's 1in 8 Program Jacket

The 1 in 8 Program: Celebrating Shared Excellence

McDonald's 1 in 8 program, launched in October 2023, recognizes that one in eight Americans have worked under the Golden Arches—a statistic that represents millions of success stories across diverse industries. The program celebrates both former and current crew members who have leveraged their McDonald's experience to achieve excellence in their chosen fields.

Chef John Liu recently joined this prestigious program as an ambassador, hosting an exclusive luncheon event at Chifa LA in September 2025. The event showcased how the foundational skills learned at McDonald's—from work ethic and leadership to operational efficiency—translate into success across various industries, particularly in the demanding world of high-end culinary arts.

"As part of the 1 in 8 program, which spotlights the journeys of the 1 in 8 Americans who have worked at McDonald's, Chef John hosted this exclusive event at Chifa LA. From his early days as a McDonald's crew member to becoming a renowned restaurateur in Los Angeles, his story embodies the resilience, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit cultivated under the Golden Arches," noted event attendees.

John Liu (left) Panel with Jeff Yang (right)

Bringing McDonald's Discipline to Chifa LA's Excellence

At Chifa LA, Liu has masterfully applied the operational principles learned during his McDonald's tenure to create a restaurant that seamlessly balances creative ambition with consistent execution. The restaurant, which opened in November 2020 amid the pandemic, serves authentic Chinese, Peruvian, and Taiwanese cuisine—each dish reflecting Liu's commitment to both innovation and reliability

The influence of his McDonald's training is evident in Chifa's approach to consistency and quality control. Liu has created systems that ensure every dish meets exacting standards, from the restaurant's famous Si Yao chicken—made with a jealously guarded family recipe that has been developing flavor for two years—to his father's traditional dan dan nian and beef noodle soup recipes.

"The creative side and the operational side—both aspects of the restaurant business really attract me," Liu explains. This balance between creativity and systematic execution, first learned at McDonald's, has been crucial to Chifa's success and its recognition with a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in September 2021.

A Family Business Built on Proven Principles

Chifa LA represents a true family collaboration, with Liu working alongside his wife Ricardina "Rica" Leon (CEO/COO), fashion designer Humberto Leon (CMO), and the family matriarch Wendy Leon, who serves as the inspirational leader and keeper of traditional recipes. The restaurant is a modern interpretation of the original Chifa that Wendy opened in Lima, Peru, in

Liu's McDonald's-trained understanding of efficient operations has been instrumental in creating a flexible business model that adapted successfully to pandemic challenges. The family's "all-hands-on-deck" approach, where everyone can "pivot to any position," reflects the collaborative spirit and operational flexibility that Liu first encountered in his McDonald's training.

The Exclusive McDonald's-Chifa Collaboration Experience

During the September 2025 luncheon event, guests experienced a unique fusion of Liu's culinary journey, enjoying "an intimate tasting experience at Chifa LA featuring some popular menu items complemented with McDonald's sauce". This innovative pairing demonstrated how the fundamental principles of quality and consistency learned at McDonald's could enhance even the most sophisticated culinary creations.

The event featured:

A live conversation with Chef John about his career journey that started at McDonald's
Discussion of the 1 in 8 program's mission to highlight career pathways and mentorship opportunities
An exclusive tasting menu that celebrated both his McDonald's roots and his current culinary excellence

From Investment Management to Culinary Mastery

Liu's path to culinary excellence wasn't direct. After his formative McDonald's experience, he spent 27 years in investment management, applying the analytical skills and attention to detail that his early work experience had fostered. However, the operational principles and work ethic instilled during his McDonald's days remained with him throughout his finance career.

When Liu returned to the food industry four years ago to help establish Chifa LA, he brought with him not only his family's culinary traditions but also the systematic approach to quality and efficiency he first learned as a teenager under the Golden

A Model for Culinary Success

Chef John Liu's story represents more than just individual achievement—it demonstrates how early work experiences can provide foundational skills that transcend industries. His journey from McDonald's crew member to Michelin-recognized chef illustrates the program's core message: that the skills learned under the Golden Arches—discipline, consistency, teamwork, and operational excellence—can be the building blocks for success in any field.

At Chifa LA, every perfectly executed dish, every seamless service experience, and every satisfied customer reflects the enduring influence of those early lessons in efficiency and consistency learned during three transformative months at McDonald's. Liu's story proves that culinary excellence isn't just about creativity—it's about bringing together passion, precision, and the grit to execute at the highest level, day after day.

Through his collaboration with the 1 in 8 program, Chef John Liu continues to inspire others to recognize the value in every work experience and to understand that excellence in any field begins with mastering the fundamentals. His journey from the Golden Arches to the golden opportunities at Chifa LA embodies the transformative power of hard work, consistency, and the courage to dream big while maintaining operational excellence.

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