Dawn Hoffmann/Courtesy Food Network
There’s a new titan in town.
Food Network
Nurdjaja, a Brooklyn native with an Indonesian and Italian background, is the executive chef and partner of two New York City restaurants,ShukaandShukette. She has guest appeared on a few Food Network shows, but this is her first time taking center stage.
“The thing about it is she was never really a chef that competed on these kinds of shows, which is a completely different skill set,” says Flay, who is getting ready to host during theSouth Beach Wine & Food Festival Feb. 20-23. “I mean, you certainly need the cooking chops and the abilities to even think about competing in that arena at the highest level. But it also takes another skill set where there’s a clock on you and all kinds of pressure.”
It took some convincing from Flay to get Nurdjaja on board.
Fly she did. “All I’ll tell you is she over-delivered,” adds Flay.
Voltaggio and Williamson made her feel at home in theTriple Threatclub. “She felt like the team, and I think this show is going to rate better than it ever has, and it already does really well, so I’m really thrilled for it,” says Flay.
source: people.com
