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Korean American wins reality cooking show

December 30, 2013
Seonkyoung Longest

Seonkyoung Longest

A Korean-American woman won “Restaurant Express,” a U.S. reality cooking show.

The Korea-born Seonkyoung Longest won by demonstrating how to cook Korean fusion foods. She moved to Mississipi after her marriage to her American husband about four years ago.

In the reality show that airs on the Food Network, she was chosen not only for the quality of the food but also her ability to manage a restaurant and present the food she prepared.

A British celebrity chef, Robert Irvine, hosted the show and the finalist judges were the staff of the M Resort Spa Casino, a four-star hotel in Las Vegas. During her seven weeks on the show, Longest made Korean-American fusion food such as Korean fried chicken and “bibimbap” burgers.

“At that time when my name was called, I could not believe it,” she said. “It was my honor to join in ‘Restaurant Express. Robert Irvine taught me a lot. I have to thank him.” She added that when she was in Korea, she first learned how to cook from her mother, a restaurant manager. “Technically speaking, ‘Restaurant Express’ taught me how to cook professionally.”