We had the good fortune of connecting with George Yu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi George, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
There are a lot of long hours in the restaurant industry. Alot more than just cooking food and serving guest. We get here early in the more to prep, meet vendors, get the restaurant ready.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started in my parents restaurant when I was a kid and never really left. I started in my first professional kitchen when I was 14 and have worked with some of the best chefs in Atlanta. Working in the kitchen was always difficult but was extremely rewarding for me. I went to school for Engineering but the adrenaline rush of the restaurant was what I always gravitated towards. Along the way I learned you need a team around you. The best ideas don’t work without the people around you. You need to be able to foster and team and grow them around you. The better they do the better you do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would for sure bring them to Duluth, first they would have to eat at Noona, but Downtown Duluth has everything from Goodword Brewing and Maple Street Biscuit to shopping at Personify next door. After that I am definitely taking them up to North Ga to do some hiking and fishing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my wife for sure. She had supported me from the get go. She was there when times where tough. She would stay up late and wait for me to get off. She help shoulder the burden when I didn’t get paid. She was really my rock.

Website: www.noonaduluth.com

Instagram: @noonaduluth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noonaduluth/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/noona-meat-and-seafood-duluth

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.