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From the Golden Arches to Michelin Stars: Why Chef John Liu's Journey Matters for All of Us
- Dylan Chen
- Jan 12
- 3 min read
When we think about career beginnings, we often imagine internships at prestigious firms, family connections to established industries, or straight paths from education to dream jobs. But what if I told you that one in eight Americans started their career under the Golden Arches? That their first lessons in responsibility, teamwork, and excellence came from flipping burgers and taking orders at McDonald's?
This isn't just nostalgia—it's a reminder that the trajectory of our careers isn't predetermined by where we start, but by what we learn and how we choose to grow.
The Power of Starting Somewhere
McDonald's recently dedicated January 8th to celebrating the 1 in 8 Americans who've worked at the company and transformed those early experiences into remarkable careers. Among them is Chef John Liu, an AAPI culinary icon and Michelin-starred chef who is now a pillar of the Eagle Rock community in Los Angeles. His story isn't one of overnight success or privilege—it's one of hustle, skill-building, and unwavering ambition.
What makes his story even more resonant right now is that Chef John isn't just reflecting on his own journey. Through McDonald's new "Arches and Ambition: The 1 in 8 Mentorship Program," he's paying it forward, mentoring Abigail "Abby" Robles, a current McDonald's manager, showing her that the skills she's developing today under the Golden Arches are the same foundation that led him to open Chifa, his celebrated restaurant that honors the AAPI culinary tradition.
Breaking the Narrative About Starting Points
For many in our community, there's still an invisible ceiling around certain starting points. We're told that "good jobs" come from the right schools or the right families. We internalize the idea that working at a fast-food restaurant is a stepping stone to be rushed through, not a place where real skills are forged.
Chef John Liu's trajectory shattered that narrative. His early experience at McDonald's taught him discipline, precision, food safety, customer service, and the non-negotiable importance of showing up and doing the work right. These aren't just job skills—they're life skills that translate to every field, every challenge, every dream.
The timing of his mentorship with Abby is particularly powerful. When she helped him as a Sous Chef at his restaurant's 1 in 8 celebration luncheon, she wasn't just assisting a famous chef—she was witnessing proof that her current path has limitless possibilities. That's the kind of mentorship that changes how you see yourself and your future.
What This Means for Our Community
For the AAPI community specifically, Chef John's story is essential. It counters the model minority myth that suggests there's only one acceptable path to success. It shows young people that their journey doesn't have to be linear, that it can start from a place of honest work, and that greatness isn't reserved for people who start with certain advantages.
More broadly, it's a reminder to all of us that career development happens everywhere—in kitchens, on shop floors, in customer service roles, in places where we show up and commit to doing something well. The people who understand this are often the ones who build the most resilient, adaptable careers.
Looking Forward
The "Arches and Ambition" YouTube series goes beyond Chef John's story, featuring mentorships in fashion, food, business, and sports—showcasing the breadth of possibilities for people who started at McDonald's and dared to dream bigger. Each episode reminds us that skills are skills, work ethic is work ethic, and ambition can flourish anywhere.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning your starting point, or if you're mentoring young people who are, Chef John Liu's story is worth sharing. It's a powerful reminder that the arc of our careers isn't determined by where we begin, but by what we do with every opportunity we're given.
To watch Chef John's full mentorship episode and see the other inspiring stories in the series, visit McDonald's YouTube channel. And if you're one of the 1 in 8 who started under the Golden Arches, this is your moment to own that part of your story—because it made you who you are today.
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