World-Renowned Chef Roy Choi Tapped to Host New Original Series BROKEN BREAD from KCETLink and Tastemade

KCETLink Media Group, a leading national independent nonprofit public broadcast and digital network, and Tastemade, a modern media company inspiring the taste of a generation through entertainment, commerce and experiences, announced today that restaurant entrepreneur and acclaimed chef Roy Choi will host a new series called BROKEN BREAD slated for broadcast in early 2019 on public television KCET in Southern California and Link TV nationally via DIRECTV (channel 375) and Dish Network (channel 9410). Co-produced by KCETLink and Tastemade, the series begins production this week and showcases inspiring people who are making a difference in their communities through food.

Acclaimed for his innovative approach to healthy, conscious cooking and community building, Chef Choi will lead every episode to uncover innovative culinary and agricultural practices that are transforming food access, food justice and community.

"This is my first TV show and I couldn't be prouder that it is with two great partners, KCETLink and Tastemade," said Roy Choi. "As the title suggests, we are going to take a look at the broken systems in our country and take off to find the good people on the ground doing things about changing those systems. A quest for goodness. A place where we can highlight amazing people doing amazing things. There will be humor, music, tears, challenges, poetry, love, and action. A show with a lot of food; but not necessarily a food show. It's time and the time is now."

"As longtime admirers of Roy Choi, KCETLink is thrilled to be working with him on BROKEN BREAD," said Juan Devis, Chief Creative Officer, KCETLink Media Group. "Choi brings social consciousness to food culture in a fresh, personal and unexpected way capturing the essence of Los Angeles and its people. We also look forward to partnering with Tastemade - an industry trailblazer in food content creation - to bring together our cultures and sensibilities under one voice."

"People are hungry for this type of content," said Oren Katzeff, Tastemade's head of programming. "It's thrilling to work with KCETLink and explore how people are innovating new approaches to create a better world through food. We can't think of a better person than Roy Choi to help shape this narrative with us and continue impacting communities in California and beyond."

An ideal programming match for KCET and Link TV audiences, the series focuses on various regions of California and the faces behind the food movement.

Choi will executive produce along with his business partner Natasha Phan who will produce.

Choi is represented by Andrew Chason at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Lisa Shotland at Shotlandia as well as Jee Park and Mary Blanton Ogushwitzat Magrino PR.

*KCET is expected to merge with PBS SoCal, subject to regulatory approvals, by mid-2018.

ABOUT ROY CHOI

Roy Choi is a tastemaker, chef, and disruptor. In 2008, he and a crew of friends & family started what would be the beginning of the intersection between food, technology, culture, entrepreneurship, and long lines. That comet was called Kogi BBQ and it made a splash on the streets of LA, being the first to use Twitter and usher in a whole new generation of eaters and followers to what would be called America's first viral restaurant by Newsweek. The Kogi taco and lifestyle were like nothing before it yet like everything you ever wanted. From there, Roy went on to reinvent the rice bowl, redefine the communal table experience, revitalize historic neighborhoods, flip the model on bar food, upend the staid hotel experience, bridge LA culture to the world, and stumble into becoming a revolutionary, all while kickstarting a multi-billion dollar street food industry.

Roy was named Food & Wine Best New Chef 2010, TIME 100 Most Influential People in the World 2016, LA Times Restaurant of the Year 2017, and has an award-winning New York Times Bestseller memoir called, L.A. Son: My Life, My City, My Food.

He resides in Los Angeles, California where he oversees Kogi BBQ, Chego!, A-Frame, Alibi Room, POT, Commissary, and LocoL. In late 2018 he will open a new multi-faceted restaurant at Park MGM in Las Vegas, Nevada.

So if you've ever shared food on social media or stood in a long line for anything or got out of one to start your own creative business, you can thank Kogi BBQ and Roy Choi for that.

Photo Credit: Travis Jensen