The Girl Who Became King

From award-winning chef, author, television personality, and activist Melissa King comes an intimate, captivating memoir about family, food, and finding her voice as a queer Chinese American chef

“Melissa’s story is a powerful reminder that success comes not from fitting into someone else’s expectations, but from embracing your whole self.”—Chef Kwame Onwuachi

Embracing my love of food has empowered me to embrace every layer of who I am: my Chinese heritage, my American upbringing, and all the parts of me that felt too much and not enough. When I chose myself, I set her free. Just me. The girl who became king.

As a kid, Melissa King lived for the moment she would come from elementary school, grab her prized Chinese meat cleaver, and prepare dinner for her family. She already knew cooking was her future, but she didn’t know how hard she’d have to fight to make that dream a reality.

Growing up, King felt like she was stuck in a box that was only getting smaller. Her Shanghainese and Cantonese immigrant parents had certain expectations—none of which included going to culinary school or falling in love with women. American culture also dictated that kitchens were a man’s world. But trying to live by these rules felt like no life at all.

Determined to forge her own path, she fought her way into the demanding world of Michelin-starred kitchens, while discovering a home in the queer community. When she entered Top Chef as a reluctant contestant, inspired by her grandmother’s advice to follow her heart, she began embracing the flavors, culture, and parts of herself she had once forgotten. This journey of self-discovery through food leads her back to her parents, where love creates room for their strengths and imperfections.

In this heartfelt memoir, Melissa King shows that empowerment comes from embracing all the different ingredients that make up who you are, and models the hard-won courage it takes to believe in yourself against the odds.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs