Awkwafina, who won the Golden Globe for her role in "The Farewell," faces a completely different challenge in her acting career this time in Apple TV's new reality cooking show "Awkwafina: Chef." In the past, she was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people with her comedic image. This time she no longer just performed in front of the camera, but walked into the kitchen under her real name Nora Lum. She started learning from a cooking layman. Even cooking instant noodles can turn into a disaster.
Awkwafina started learning cooking as a layman in "Awkwafina: Master Chef". (Courtesy of Apple TV)
In the show, Awkwafina not only re-explored the history of her family restaurant "Lum", but also challenged herself to cook. There were many failures and embarrassing moments in the process. She admitted that she did want to face it with a non-serious attitude at first, but later decided to really devote herself to learning, and thus gained a new understanding of the catering industry. What's even more surprising is that this trip actually extended to the plan of opening a restaurant. She also confirmed personally that related matters are currently in progress.
Awkwafina laughed and said that the cooking process on the show often hilariously turned into a disaster, but she later realized that she had to make a choice: Should she continue to face it with a non-serious attitude, pretend that she kept screwing up, and learn nothing, or should she really start to take cooking seriously? "I hope I can really learn how to cook. I don't want to cause more disasters, I just want to do things well." She believes that this is also the moment when this journey really begins.
Awkwafina (from left), Andrew Samia and Ouyang Wancheng appeared in "Awkwafina: Master Chef" to share food and cultural stories. (Courtesy of Apple TV)
From being completely unfamiliar with the kitchen to gradually mastering cooking skills, Awkwafina admitted that she learned a lot and has a higher respect for all catering industry workers. She described running a restaurant as taking care of a child, requiring everyone to work together, and the whole process was very tight and busy. As for the skill that gave her the most sense of accomplishment during this trip, she chose "turning the pot" without hesitation. She laughed and said that it was really cool and one of the most interesting gains she found.
She also believes that many people who have never cooked before simply assume that they can't do it because they are unfamiliar with it, and simply avoid the challenge. But in fact, it is never too late to start. This experience even improved her self-confidence in a way that she had not expected, and she discovered that as long as she is willing to learn, she has the opportunity to surpass things that she originally thought were impossible.
The show not only has interesting scenes of cooking failures, but also shows moments when Awkwafina is nervous, makes mistakes, and even breaks down emotionally. When asked by the Taiwanese media, in the past the audience always saw her humorous side through movies and TV works, but this time they can see her more real and vulnerable side. What is the most difficult thing to show? Awkwafina recalled her previous experience on a National Geographic Channel show exploring her mother's family roots.
Awkwafina revealed that "Awkwafina: Master Chef" started with the idea of opening a restaurant, and then gradually developed into a program plan. (Courtesy of Apple TV)
She revealed that there was a moment when she couldn't stop crying at all. "I thought it was strange because when I was making movies, there were many times when I wanted to cry but couldn't. Unexpectedly, the emotions in real life came out like a flood." She believes that crying in front of the camera is a very fragile thing. Although you can mess up things, be a clown, and show your emotional side, the feeling of crying is completely different. Fortunately, I was surrounded by a work team that I trusted and loved very much, so crying in front of them was not as difficult as I thought.
Regarding the constant failures in the cooking process, Awkwafina also believes that the most important thing is not to give up easily. "If you give up if you fail on the first try, then nothing will succeed." She admitted that she was once worried that the audience would think that she was a hopeless person who could not learn anything or remember any information, so she had to stay focused. In the end, being able to truly learn to cook not only relies on the help of others around you, but also comes from being willing to give yourself the opportunity to try again again and again.
Talking about the origin of this show, Awkwafina revealed that it did start with the idea of opening a restaurant, and then gradually developed the show planning. She said that as she became more and more interested in the world of cooking, the program took shape, and during the filming period, restaurant cooperation and related projects were actually started simultaneously.
What's more, she can finally talk about it publicly. Awkwafina personally confirmed that this was not an effect created by the show, but a real business plan. "This is a very real plan and it is currently underway. Therefore, this journey will indeed have a specific result in the end." As for when it will open and what form the restaurant will be presented in, she has not revealed any more details for the time being. She can only look forward to its real opening!
"Awkwafina: Chef" is available exclusively on Apple TV.
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