I had the opportunity to attend an author talk and meet Roy Choi today. The event was hosted by the Manhattan Beach Library as part of a Speaker Series.

Roy Choi is a chef, entrepreneur, and cultural pioneer whose innovative culinary style reshaped America’s street-food culture. The host of Emmy Award-winning series Broken Bread and co-host of Netflix’s hit series The Chef Show, Choi’s influence extends far beyond the kitchen. Named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, he co-founded celebrated restaurants including Kogi BBQ, Chego!, Best Friend, and The Chef Truck at Park MGM Las Vegas.

Celebrity Chef Roy Choi Headlines Manhattan Beach Library’s Spring Speaker Series

One of the things that stuck with me from the talk was the concept of fate/things working out. Roy had just lost his job, in the depths of the 2008 recession, when he got a call from a colleague with the idea of starting up a food truck – and from there, the iconic Kogi BBQ truck was born. It wasn’t anything he even imagined he’d land in. He was actually working in fine dining restaurants beforehand. But when he hit his lowest point, things ended up working out. It’s a nice reminder of my own belief that everything happens for a reason and everything works out in the end.

It wasn’t only this talk that had this same concept come up recently. I attended an event last night (hosted by the mental health clinic I am now on the Board of Advisors for) and connected with a woman who also landed in a role that she never pictured herself in, or even knew existed. She did her degree in psychology, held a few random positions at Disney and ESPN, but ended up now in a particular role that involves organizational and client relations within the company. As she spoke of her career path, she recounted a night in which a classmate reached out to her about a job position (previous from the one she holds now). She didn’t think she’d be in an HR position but it helped bridge her to where she is now.

It’s all a nice reminder to not worry so much about where to go next and things will work out.