.png)
Awkwafina Cooks Her Way to Her Family's Legacy in The Unlikely Cook
- TalkTeaV
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A road trip, family stories, and a crash course in the kitchen.
Nora Lum, aka Awkwafina, in The Unlikely Cook: Image Courtesy of Apple TV
The Unlikely Cook with Awkwafina is the newest food and travel series coming to Apple TV, following Awkwafina as she travels across the country to learn the basics of cooking while reconnecting with her family’s longtime restaurant history.
Across eight episodes, she partners with chefs, restaurateurs, and family members as she reflects on the story of Lum’s, her family’s Cantonese restaurant in Flushing, New York, which played a key role in the development of the neighborhood’s Chinatown.
Awkwafina, whose real name is Nora Lum, grew up in the family business but never developed the kitchen confidence people assume comes with that upbringing. The logline hints at what to expect from this personal journey, stating, “Despite growing up in the family business, she can’t cook. At all. She could ruin an instant ramen.”
“I’ve never been trusted around a kitchen, so I thank everyone involved for opening that part of my house up to me,” said Awkwafina. “Food has been a huge part of my family’s history, and to be able to explore and reconnect with that legacy has been an incredibly rare and very special opportunity.”
--
In the 1980s, thousands in New York’s Hudson Valley saw a silent, glowing V-shaped craft in the sky that still defies explanation. Read about the Hudson Valley UFO Wave: The Westchester Boomerang Mystery
--
Awkwafina in a black apron, in The Unlikely Cook: Image Courtesy of Apple TV
Each episode introduces her to a different corner of Asian American cooking. With guidance from experienced chefs and family members, she gets a clearer sense of the traditions she heard about growing up but never fully understood.
The series is produced by Twofour, the company behind The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy. That connection suggests a tone centered on learning on the move, mixing travel moments with personal discovery.
From the description, the series blends food, family stories, and the relaxed pace of a cross-country trip. With Awkwafina stepping into a kitchen as a true beginner, it’s easy to imagine a mix of jokes, slipups, and discoveries as the trip unfolds. How everything comes together is part of the journey, and that bit of mystery may be what keeps us watching.
Stay Tuned — Subscribe below for more updates and sneak peeks! From TV shows and movie premieres to stories from the vibrant culture of The Bronx, TalkTeaV has you covered. Don't forget to join the conversation on social media — links below!
