The Dave Chang Show Chicken Divan, Being Curious, and Meaningful Dishes With Cord Jefferson
Feb 26, 2026
Cord Jefferson, Oscar- and Emmy-winning writer-director who moved from journalism to film and TV, joins to talk curiosity and career meandering. They discuss a nostalgic Chicken Divan, a memorable Las Vegas week, and how trying things (and learning what you dislike) shapes creativity. Conversations touch on American Fiction, awards pressure, and cooking as an act of love.
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From Odd Jobs To Taking Writing Seriously
- Cord Jefferson started in odd jobs in LA, writing every night while working non-creative day roles.
- He moved to New York in 2005 to take writing seriously, taking any paid or unpaid gig to get reps and build a career.
Curiosity Beats Classroom Success For Creatives
- Curiosity is the foundational skill for creatives, more important than formal classroom success.
- Cord credits relentless curiosity and self-directed reading for his development despite being a poor student.
Chicken Divan As A Family Memory
- Cord's mother made Chicken Divan as a holiday staple and later adapted it into a vegetarian version for him.
- The dish fused mayonnaise, sour cream, cream soup and broccoli and became a Proustian memory tied to family and holidays.
