2007 Women's retreat at the sundance resort, april 12 - 15

"Featured chef, Unmi Abkin, will be leading two sessions. One will be demonstrating how to cook healthfully with the use of local, organic produce and ingredients. She teaches the art of cooking with whole foods that will support sustainability for both health and the health of our planet. The other will be a session on healthy living and how to use the tools you've gained, during this weekend, and applying them to everyday living."

"When it's time to call a caterer for that special dinner at your home, call Unmi. She'll present a unique and exotic meal, spiced in sensational ways and delivered with visual excitement."

Ben Cohen
co-founder, ben & jerry's

"Culinary artistry. Unmi's food rocks. I was the speaker, but Unmi's food was the hit of the evening."

Women on the Rise
Safe Passage Benefit with Maya Angelou, May 15, 2003

"For families living with an abuser, mealtimes are often fraught with tension and frequently erupt in violence.  Restauranteur Unmi Abkin hopes to help Safe Passage House residents experience the healing power and comfort of sharing delicious, healthy food with family and friends.  Born in Korea and raised in Michigan and California, Unmi is a graduate of the California Culinary Institute and has honed her expertise in some of San Francisco's finest restaurants.  In 1995, she opened Cha Cha Cha in Northampton.  Unmi took the traditional San Francisco taqueria and infused it with Asian-inspired flavors and food preparation to make creations like the Thai Chicken Burrito.  

For the dining room of Safe Passage House, Unmi says she wanted "the tone to be playful, warm, and welcoming -- but with slightly surreal features."  At her suggestion, we ordered unpainted furniture: three tables and dozens of straight-backed chairs.  She enlisted more than 20 local artists to individually design and handpaint the tables and chairs.  "The designs are to be light, sunny, uplifting, and nurturing," Unmi told the artists.  "I want the families to see certain images in the room and giggle."  We reunited the furniture in the dining room, and the result is a happy, colorful jumble of distinctive artistic styles.

And Unmi has just put even more on the table.  Beginning in May, once a month, she will personally cook a community Sunday dinner for everyone in Safe Passage House  Moms and kids are welcome to learn about nutritional cooking, and can create their own cookbooks to take with them when they leave."

Pamela Gaye Walker
President, ghost ranch productions

"Even in the Bay Area, where culinary options abound,  Unmi's cooking classes and catered parties are a definite stand out in taste and elegant presentation."

Barbara Marienthal
Coldwell Banker

"Unmi Abkin is a pioneer in her field, leading the way in cooking delicious and healthy food and having fun while doing it."

summer 2001

"Abkin is a super role model for girls -- a successful entrepreneur who cares about her community."

February 7, 1999

"A booming restaurant scene adds a dash of New York to Northhampton....Korean-born Unmi Abkin, chef and co-owner of Cha Cha Cha! ... opened in late August... and attracted so many customers that she had to double her food order on the second day and increase it again on the third."

September 24, 2002

"This is quite a gift, from any angle," Rago said last week.  "But that's how Unmi does business, in general.  She's always looking at the big picture, how she can contribute to the community....The funds will go toward helping the counseling collective find a place in Northampton so they can coordinate their work with the shelters in the city.... The fundraiser sold out within 48 hours and raised more than $5,000, Kusek said."

Media Release
September 17, 2001

"Abkin, continuing her close work with charitable organizations, invited diners to sample her new menu in exchange for a contribution to Paloma House Inc., a non-profit organization."