EMU Today

YPSILANTI — With more than 1.7 million followers on TikTok, Eastern Michigan University alum, author, and Detroit-based social media chef influencer Jon Kung is making a stop on EMU’s campus to discuss his career journey and how he rose to fame as a full-time content creator. The event is slated for Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Sponberg Theatre in the Judy Sturgis Hill building, 1030 E Circle Dr., in Ypsilanti. This event is free and open to the public.

Kung, who recently debuted a cookbook, Kung Food: Chinese American Recipes from a Third Culture Kitchen, is best known for making eccentric, genre-breaking cooking videos on his social media platforms.

“The College of Arts & Sciences is thrilled to host Jon Kung for a very special visit that will highlight his pathway from a creative writing and theater student here at Eastern to a successful author, entrepreneur, and social media influencer,” said Dana Heller, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

The social media celebrity chef was born in Los Angeles, raised in Hong Kong and Toronto, and now resides in Detroit. Kung graduated from EMU in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in theatre and creative writing. He credits his EMU experience as the perfect springboard for making content.         

Before becoming a self-taught chef, he gained experience working at supper clubs and pop-up restaurants around Detroit. Utilizing his Chinese culture, Kung embeds unique food ideas to create third-culture cuisine that he shares through videos.

Now, Kung is a full-time content creator, dedicating his work to educating people about food and culture - empowering those who follow him to delve into culinary expression. Through his popularity on TikTok, he has created videos sharing unique Chinese-American recipes and engaging tutorials to show the steps of making third-culture cuisine cuisines. 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.