George Hu attended the opening event of a well-known haircare brand on the 17th, where he spoke about his appearance on the cooking competition show Star Chef Battle. Advancing all the way to the final, Hu is set to compete in the championship episode airing tomorrow. Asked how he would use the NT$1 million prize money if he wins, he responded with a smile that he would carefully plan how to allocate it.
Hu also addressed the controversy surrounding Amber An’s sudden withdrawal from the show due to work commitments. Originally, Hu, Amber An, Yao Chun Yao, and Allison Lin had all advanced to the final four, but An’s exit sparked widespread discussion. Hu said he was surprised by the news, but added that her performance deserved recognition. “At the beginning, she was even afraid of live shrimp,” he recalled. “The fact that she made it through steadily is already very impressive.”
Regarding changes in the competition format, Hu noted that contestants were later required to handle front-of-house duties instead of cooking, which he found even more challenging. “Introducing dishes feels like memorizing a script,” he said, adding that if given the chance, he would still prefer to contribute in the kitchen.
Through the program, Hu’s culinary skills have continued to improve. He recently received an invitation from a renowned chef to serve as a one-day kitchen assistant at a restaurant event. While he declined to reveal the chef’s identity for now, he shared that the event will be open to the public and announced soon.
As for opening a restaurant as a side business, Hu admitted he has seriously considered the idea. However, he acknowledged the difficulties of sustaining a restaurant, from staffing to operational costs, and has therefore decided to put the plan on hold for the time being.
On the acting front, Hu spent about six months last year filming a movie in the United States, performing entirely in English as a pastor. The project, based on a true story, had been in discussion since the pandemic, with the production team specifically seeking a Taiwanese actor fluent in English. Hu described the differences between filming environments in Taiwan and the U.S. as significant and valuable learning experiences. While he has more U.S.-based projects in the pipeline, he emphasized that he has no intention of leaving Taiwan.
Looking ahead to the Lunar New Year, Hu shared that he often hopes to help prepare the reunion dinner, but usually refrains because he is unfamiliar with the kitchen equipment at his family home in Taichung. Red envelope amounts for relatives are adjusted each year based on income, while he and his wife Annie Chen do not exchange red envelopes. As for questions about having children, the couple remains relaxed, saying they are not in a hurry and that their families now understand there is no set answer.
