What's In This? History of the Donut Guest: Michael Krondl, author, "The Donut: History, Recipes, and Lore From Boston to Berlin" Donuts have a surprising history. Beginning in Rome (we think) and beloved now as an American breakfast classic, this treat has traveled the world and been shaped and re-shaped by nearly every civilization. The Man Who Became (Donut) King Guest: Alice Gu, writer, director, and producer, “The Donut King” “The Donut King” tells the story of the rise and fall of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee who made it big selling donuts in America, then lost it all. Surprisingly, 95 perfect of America’s 5000 independently owned donut shops are owned and operated by Cambodian-American families. Alice Gu, writer and director of “The Donut King,” tells the story of the immigrant and entrepreneur who may be just be the reason why.