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NewsWPLG Local 10November 6, 2026Miami-Dade County

Actor and comedian Awkwafina explores culinary roots and prepares to reopen family restaurant in new Apple TV series

Photo: WPLG Local 10

Actor and comedian Awkwafina learns professional cooking and restaurant management for an eight-episode Apple TV series documenting her journey to reopen her family's historic Queens restaurant, Lum's, as a one-night pop-up and eventually for the long-term.

EntertainmentFood and DrinkTelevisionCulinary Arts
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Why It Matters

The project documents the television host's personal transition from novice cook to restaurant operator, highlighting the history of her family's Cantonese restaurant and broader cultural shifts among second-generation Asian Americans returning to the food industry.

Key Facts

  • Awkwafina stars in an eight-episode Apple TV series titled 'Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook' premiering on Friday.
  • The series follows her journey learning culinary arts, from training at the Culinary Institute of America to waitressing in Los Angeles.
  • Her family previously ran Lum's, an iconic Cantonese restaurant in Queens that closed in the 1990s after operating for four decades.
  • The project involved traveling to Texas for barbecue spare ribs, Hawaii for a pupu platter, and San Francisco to learn Peking duck.
  • She collaborated with chefs Martin Yan on chicken chow mein and Roy Choi on Korean-style dumplings.
  • The initial plan was to host a one-night pop-up dinner at a Manhattan pizzeria that fed 50 guests.
  • The positive experience and skills acquired during the show inspired Awkwafina to pursue reopening Lum's on a long-term basis.

Who's Mentioned

PersonDavid Brindley“Executive producer of the series”OrganizationApple TV“Streaming platform broadcasting the series”locationNew York“City where the series begins and where the family restaurant was located”locationLos Angeles“Location where Awkwafina worked as a waitress”locationSan Francisco“Location where Awkwafina learns to make Peking duck”locationTexas“Location visited to develop a twist on barbecue spare ribs”PersonMartin Yan“Chef who teaches Awkwafina how to make chicken chow mein”OrganizationGolden Dragon“Banquet hall in Los Angeles where Awkwafina worked as a waitress”locationQueens“New York borough where Lum's originally operated”PersonRoy Choi“Chef who teaches Awkwafina how to make Korean-style dumplings”OrganizationCulinary Institute of America“Institution where Awkwafina learns to make stir-fry”PersonAwkwafina“Actor, comedian, and rapper starring in the Apple TV series”locationHawaii“Location visited to sample a pupu platter”OrganizationLum's“Iconic Cantonese restaurant run by Awkwafina's family in Queens”