Awkwafina to star in Apple TV culinary docuseries

Actress and comedian Awkwafina, born Nora Lum, will star in the eight-part Apple TV docuseries ‘Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook’, set to premiere on November 6, 2026. The series follows Lum as she attempts to learn culinary basics to honor her family’s gastronomic heritage.

Lum aims to explore ways to revive Lum’s, the Cantonese restaurant formerly operated by her family in Flushing, New York. The documentary features a road trip across the United States, including training at the Culinary Institute of America, learning Texas barbecue with Jimmy O. Yang, and studying tiki culture in Hawai‘i.

Guided by chefs such as Roy Choi and Martin Yan, Lum will also experience the fast-paced environment of a Chinatown restaurant in Los Angeles. The series culminates in a personal challenge where she prepares a meal for her grandmother.