Chef David Change becomes the first celebrity to win the top prize in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, and decided to donate the entire $1 million to restaurant workers who have been impacted by the pandemic.
For his final question, the famed New York restaurateur was asked to name the first US president to have electricity in the White House.
Chang decided to phone a friend – ESPN journalist Mina Kimes – and then guessed President Benjamin Harrison despite admittedly not even knowing whether Harrison was a president.
“This is the most painful, nervous — this is terrifying,” Chang was heard saying in a clip from the episode.
The Southern Smoke Foundation, a crisis relief organization for people in the food and drinks sector, will be the recipient of Chang’s prize money.
Should Chang decided not to answer the final question, he would have walked away with roughly $500,000.
“Having a million dollars right now, in this moment, is a game changer for many, many families,” he said in the video clip of the episode.
“And yes, half a million is as well — and I want to say ‘No, just take the money!’ — but I’m not.”
Restaurants and bars were classified by many states as essential businesses, and were allowed to operate on takeout and delivery.
However, many were forced to close down as businesses found it hard, had public health concerns, or simply finds the model economically unfeasible.
“Since the government won’t help out restaurant workers…we have to do what we can to help out,” Chang tweeted on Sunday about winning the show.
Founded by chef Chris Shepherd in 2015, the Southern Smoke Foundation has distributed $4,097,425 to 2,071 people nationwide.
“I’m so honored that Dave chose Southern Smoke as his charity,” Shepherd said in an interview.
“Now, more than ever, with indoor dining shut down in many parts of the country and temperatures dropping to prohibit outdoor dining, food and beverage industry employees are desperate.”