13 years ago, I launched my food truck operating out of a tiny Chinese kitchen on Clark Street. It was there I met a quiet prep cook who was looking for extra hours and thought it would be fun to work on a food truck. Every morning before 7am, Chef M and I would braise our meats and begin assembling hundreds of banh mi sandwiches for the road. It was just the two of us, cooking and making sandwiches every day. In the quietness of the morning, we methodically sliced baguettes, lathered them in mayo and stuffed them with meats and pickled veggies. It was in those moments, we’d talk about our families. M told me about the farm he grew up on and how he missed being a cowboy. Over the next decade, Chef M was always there by my side. From opening Saucy Porka’s first brick-and-mortar on 400 S. Financial, to launching the next three store fronts, he was my right hand. Saucy Porka wouldn't exist without Chef M.

This October 2025, I received a frantic call that M was being rushed to the hospital. He had just worked a 12 hour shift at Saucy, and was walking to his apartment when he was brutally attacked outside of his home. M collapsed on the sidewalk from multiple stab wounds. 911 was called, and he was quickly taken to a Chicago trauma center.

Life moves at an astonishing pace, often leaving us caught up in our hectic routines. It's easy to take loved ones for granted and forget how precious they truly are. When I arrived at the hospital that night, we weren’t given any information, except that Chef M had been rushed to the operating room. We would then spend the next six hours waiting. At midnight I rang in my birthday, and remembered wishing for only one thing.

In life we have our blood family, and we have our chosen family. M has always been my chosen family, and I his. M survived the brutal attack and his journey to recovery will not be easy. Chef M has sustained massive injuries to his hands, and his doctors estimate over a year before he can fully return to work. We at Saucy Porka started a Go Fund Me page to help support Chef M with his personal and medical needs. Over the past decade it has been Chef M who crafted Saucy Porka’s signature sauces and meticulously braised meats. His hands have fed many, and now we are asking for your helping hand in his road to recovery. Please consider donating to his recovery fund. And if you’re unable to give, sharing this page means more than you know. We are grateful for every prayer, share, and message of support.

Saucy Porka Chicago will also be selling M signature spice blends and sauces at the restaurant. 100% of the proceeds will go towards his recovery fund.

Thank you for your support and generosity,

-Amy Le - Chef & Owner, Saucy Porka