McDonald’s Celebrates ChefJohn Liu’s Rise from Flipping Burgers to Michelin Acclaim

McDonald’s is celebrating Chef John Liu, owner of Chifa LA, as the newest ambassador for its 1 in 8 program, an initiative that honors Americans who once worked under the Golden Arches.

To honor him, McDonald’s held two Los Angeles events highlighting his inspiring rise from crew member to celebrated chef.

The celebration kicked off on September 19 with ‘Arches and Ambition: Fryside Chat with Chef John’ at Chifa LA.

Moderated by AAPI author Jeff Yang, the luncheon brought together influencers, media, and community members to hear Liu reflect on how his McDonald’s beginnings shaped his culinary journey.

The next evening, Liu took the stage at ‘Plate by Plate LA,’ a major fundraiser for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) causes.

Teaming up with food influencer Soy, he led a live cooking demo featuring Chifa’s signature dishes and McDonald’s Gold Sauce, with singer-songwriter Ylona Garcia performing to celebrate AAPI talent and culture.

As McDonald’s newest 1 in 8 ambassador, Liu represents the values of mentorship, entrepreneurship, and resilience.

His story, from flipping burgers to running a Michelin-recognized kitchen, embodies the program’s message that early experiences in any job can lay the foundation for lifelong success and leadership.

Reflecting on his journey, Liu said he hopes to inspire others to define success in their own way. “There’s no one path anymore. The box is everything,” he shared

Through his partnership with McDonald’s, he continues to promote creativity, perseverance, and the belief that great things can grow from humble beginnings.

Feature photo is courtesy of IWG