Nanro Foundation to discuss the future of Korean cuisine on April 29–30 under the theme “The Golden Time for Hansik.”
Chefs from the World’s 50 Best Restaurants (W50B) No. 1 and No. 2, Onjium and Geumdwaeji Sikdang; along with Prof. Jeong Jae-seung, authors Song Kil-young and Cho Seung-yeon and other experts from Korea and abroad, will discuss hansik’s growth potential.
Nanro Foundation (chair: Choi Jung-yoon, NANRO FOUNDATION), a nonprofit society launched to secure long-term global sustainability for the Korean-food industry, will host the global hansik symposium “NANRO INSIGHT” on April 29 and 30 at Leeum Museum of Art in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Under the theme “The Future of Gastronomy: Speaking of Hansik,” the symposium brings together experts across sectors from Korea and abroad to examine how Korean cuisine can succeed in world markets.
The event is part of “NANRO 2024,” a global hansik program designed to expand the discussions, research, experiences and cross-industry exchange nurtured through Nanrohoe. As the inaugural edition, it is expected to draw significant attention, with top chefs and hansik leaders from Korea and abroad taking part.
Ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the 2023 W50B list, chef Virgilio Martínez of Central (Peru) and chef Oriol Castro of Disfrutar (Spain) will lead a lineup that also includes Simon Kim, CEO of the Michelin-starred Korean restaurant COTE in New York; Kim Jong-soon, CEO of JS Holdings, which runs the popular London Korean restaurant YORI; and Song Jung-hun, who runs the global food-entertainment brand Cupbop in the U.S. Each will present their innovation stories and share their keys to success.
From Korea, chefs Cho Eun-hee and Park Sung-bae of Onjium — recently ranked No. 21 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants — will take the stage alongside Park Soo-kyung of Geumdwaeji Sikdang; Jeong Dong-woo, CEO of Meat4popo and the planner behind Mongtan and Sanchung Sutbul Garden; and Han Chung-hee, CEO of UGD, known for the popular “Gum-to-Il Champagne Bar.” They will present and debate the aesthetics, branding and international expansion of traditional Korean cuisine.
Leading figures from academia, industry and the arts will also participate. Keynote speaker Prof. Jeong Jae-seung of KAIST’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences will be joined by Park Young-hoon, CEO of The Kit (YouTube channel Korean Englishman); author and “mind-miner” Song Kil-young; Yong Tae-soon, CEO of WAD (CatchTable); author Cho Seung-yeon; Cha Woo-jin of TMI.FM; and Musinsa executive Heo Chul, sharing insights and building cross-industry exchange for hansik’s development and globalization.
“Korean food is now enjoying global popularity under the banner of K-Food, and it stands out in the global fine-dining market,” chair Choi Jung-yoon said. “This is the golden time for the Korean-food industry. We will actively work to share the charm and philosophy of traditional hansik with the world so that Korean cuisine takes its place as one of Korea’s signature products and a high-value business.”
Alongside Nanro Insight, NANRO 2024 will run several private companion events: the Nanro Heritage Tour, in which chefs experience Korean fermentation culture with jang master Ki Soon-do and Buddhist chef Jeong Kwan; Nanro Gastro Powered by SIGNATURE KITCHEN SUITE, a cooking show by Disfrutar; and Nanro Vision, a session with junior Michelin restaurant chefs and culinary students to discuss future talent development. Tickets for Nanro Insight are available through CatchTable.
· Original (Korean): foodbank.co.kr
