8 replies to this topic

[TWoP Nikita]

From the Bravo bio:

Kuniko is living the American Dream, and she came to food in a roundabout way. Unhappy working in finance in her native Japan, Kuniko picked up and moved to Los Angeles, getting a job as a server at a noodle house in Los Angeles. Here, she met Chef David Myers of the Michelin starred Sona, who, moved by Kuniko’s passion and zeal, suggested she test her culinary aspirations in his kitchen. Not only did she rise to the challenge -- an un-trained cook in one of the city’s most famed kitchens -- she blossomed. Five years later, she is Myers’ protégé and most recently served as Executive Chef of his popular Los Angeles restaurant, Comme Ça. She will be opening his upcoming Los Angeles restaurant as Executive Chef in December 2012. In 2010, Kuniko was named StarChef.com’s Rising Star.

[berenjena]

kuniko is a great example of the chef I want to see get a second chance on this show. Her time mismanagement was fatal,especially combined with underseasoning, but she showed originality and technique in her all too brief appearance. I wish she could of won a prize whn she won the last challenge.
I also think that in a few years, when she is more secur with her English language skills , she will do better in a competition like thiis.

I wish her plenty of culinary success!

[SoManyWays]

I think she's a classic example of a strong chef who's just not suited for this kind of competition.

[ElectricBoogalo]

I agree - in her short time on the show, I thought she cooked some good dishes and worked well with others, both of which are characteristics of a good chef. Her major downfall was helping everyone else at the expense of her own dish. In a real kitchen, her willingness to help others would be an asset, not a reason to fire her. I don't think that her elimination was a negative reflection on her as a chef. And as someone who was already the executive chef at Comme Ça, I think she'll be fine without winning this show. I'm excited for her new restaurant to open next month!

[TudorQueen]

I loved her, and was so sad to see her go this week. It drives home the idea that the chefs are judged on that day's efforts only, since she had won the last elimination challenge and was on the winning quickfire team.

Very sweet gentlewoman, and her good dishes looked moutwateringly good to me. Best of luck to her always.

[seawolff]

You could tell the judges were sorry that she would not be cooking for them again in the competition. Still- raw unseasoned potatoes? They couldn't have justified eliminating anyone else this time.

[Terabyter]

I love Kuniko, but I'm not sure why she keeps winning second-to-last-chance kitchen.

That being said, I would love to see the look of confusion on the cheftestants' faces when Kuniko, out of everyone, returns to the competition.

[Mooncake76]

I don't know about others, but I love her quiet humbleness. That in combination with my sense that she's someone who should go far if it was based on talent alone, but would never do so in this competition because she has difficulty working within strict time constraints. In the real world, it wouldn't matter that much if she's 10 seconds over, but for this show, it's a disaster. Also, from a producer's perspective, she's unappealing because they seem to believe the audience wants to see loud, obnoxious, dramatic douchbags, and I like the idea of sending them a message of hey, we prefer the hard-working, drama free, there to cook amazing food person.

[notinbtnet]

Kuniko has recently started a gig as Chef de Cuisine at David Myers' newly opened restaurant Hinoki and the Bird in Los Angeles. From what I've heard the food is great.