Staff Profile

Anthony Jung

Chef, Berkshire Dining Commons
Years in foodservice: 17
Years at UMass: 7
Birthplace: South Korea    
Residence: Amherst, Ma
Education: 3 1/2 years UMass, Amherst
Personal: 32 years old

Anthony Jung has one of those wonderfully challenging foodservice jobs—working as a chef in a brand new facility. As a chef at the recently christened Berkshire Dining Commons, he says that the job offers all the headaches that come with helping to break in a new dining hall and all of the joy that comes with playing with new equipment and seeing the faces of impressed customers.
“I think the students really like the way the building is set up, so that they can see the food being cooking right in front of them,” says Anthony.

At 32 years of age, Anthony already has put more than 20 years of his life into the restaurant business. When he was 10, his parents bought Aqua Vita, an Italian restaurant in Hadley, Mass.

“Being immigrants, they put me to work right away,” he explains. “I found out that I like the whole culture of the business, cooking food and working with other chefs.”

So Anthony has been around a kitchen ever since, except for perhaps a short stint when he worked at a golf driving range. “What was strange about that job was driving the picker, collecting the golf balls,” he recalls. “The golfers were all trying to hit you.”

The best part of my job is: Competing in culinary competitions.  

The hardest part about my job is: Keeping my chef coat clean.

The first job I ever had was: Delivering newspapers.

The strangest job I've ever had was: Working at a golf range.

My refrigerator always contains: Butter and chicken stock.

My favorite meal is: Roasted chicken with all the fixings.

The best restaurant I've ever eaten at was: Alsace, in Paris, France.

People tell me the celebrity I most resemble is:  Jet Li.

In my spare time, I like to: golf.

People are often most surprised to find out that I: wasn’t born in the U.S.

My most embarrassing moment was: Breaking my leg during a soccer game.

The living person I'd most like to have dinner with is: Thomas Keller (Chef at the French Laundry).

The person from history I'd most like to meet is: General Patton.

The last good book I read was: The Great Gatsby.

My favorite movie is: The Cider House Rules.

On television I never miss: Good Eats with Alton Brown.

My car radio is almost always tuned to: Rock 102

Five things I can’t live without: Family, friends, chef knife, golf clubs and a cold dark beer.