The Doughnut King ( Advanced Program)

This episode of Spotlight English: Advanced tells the powerful true story of Ted Ngoi, a Cambodian refugee who rose from poverty to become the 'Donut King' of Southern California by building a chain of 60 doughnut shops. After escaping the Khmer Rouge regime, Ted found work near a Winchell's donut shop, was inspired by its familiar smell, and trained to run his own business. He used his success to help over 100 Cambodian families immigrate to the U.S. and start their own shops, creating a thriving Cambodian-owned doughnut industry in California. However, Ted's life unraveled when he became addicted to gambling in Las Vegas, losing everything—including his family, his wealth, and his reputation. After years of hardship, including living on a church porch and rebuilding his life through faith, Ted found redemption. He returned to Southern California, apologized to those he hurt, and now lives a peaceful life, warning others about the dangers of gambling. The story highlights resilience, forgiveness, and the lasting impact of one man’s journey on an entire community.