Chef Mei Lin drops by the Cheese Store for a conversation that spans from cutthroat cooking competitions to the delicate art of letting wontons speak for themselves..

The Top Chef winner and Daybird founder reflects on her evolution as a chef—from building intuitive muscle memory on shows like Tournament of Champions to finding a new groove with 88 Club, her elegant, straightforward Chinese restaurant in Beverly Hills. The crew dives into issues of pricing and perception in ethnic cuisine, the myth of the $55 tasting menu, and why simplicity might be the boldest move of all.

Plus: a sentimental chicken dish, Taiwanese breakfast evangelism, and a surprise call to Nicholas Kraft—co-founder of the fast-food fashion collective Chain—about getting Dom his own limited-edition Arby’s x Chain BBQ bib.

Follow Mei, 88 Club, and Daybird:

www.instagram.com/meilin21

www.instagram.com/88club

www.instagram.com/daybirdla

Follow Dom, Andy, Industry Only, and The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills:

www.instagram.com/domsfoods

www.instagram.com/andywangnyla

www.instagram.com/industryonlyla

www.instagram.com/thecheesestoreofbeverlyhills

And make sure to check out the 🔥 Arby's x Chain drip at www.instagram.com/eatatchain !