Culinary maestro Michael Chow’s life comes to the screen

aka Mr. Chow serves up a captivating biography and is currently streaming on HBO.

When discussing top-notch dining, you can’t help but think of Mr. Chow. This restaurant, founded in London in 1968, has spread its culinary charm to Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and most recently, Riyadh. But as the world celebrated the grand opening of Mr. Chow in Riyadh earlier this month, Michael Chow – the man behind the restaurant – unfortunately, couldn’t be there.

Grounded in his Los Angeles home due to COVID-19, he told The Hollywood Reporter in his charismatic manner: “My name is Gatsby,” referring to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s character known for hosting extravagant parties but rarely attending them. And indeed, Michael Chow has been a legendary host for more than five decades.

But there’s more to the man behind the restaurants than meets the eye. Michael Chow’s life story is being unveiled in a captivating new documentary, aka Mr. Chow, backed by HBO. This documentary not only delves into the journey of building a global restaurant empire but also unravels the personal struggles and tragedies that have shaped Michael Chow’s life.

At the age of 84, Michael Chow agreed to share his life’s journey on screen, spanning continents, decades, careers, and four marriages. Some parts of his life he has talked about openly include his struggles as a Chinese immigrant and the racism he faced. The documentary also brushes upon his dream of becoming a painter as well as deeper, darker tragedies. 

Directed by Nick Hooker, aka Mr. Chow is not just about the glitz and glamour, it’s about peeling back the layers and getting to know the real Michael Chow. This documentary offers a full 360-degree view of his incredible journey and it’s a must-watch for anyone curious about the genius behind the iconic restaurants. So grab your popcorn and prepare to meet the man behind the legend.

GO: Visit www.mrchow.com for more information.