Why Famous Paris Chefs Closed Restaurants in Peak Season to Visit Korea

Renowned chefs from famous restaurants in Paris, France, a global culinary capital, have visited South Korea to learn Korean cuisine.

According to the France-Korea Cultural Exchange Association (FRKO Connect Association) today (August 8), eight veteran chefs from Paris, including Michelin 1-star chefs, have been visiting South Korea on an 11-day, 10-night itinerary starting from August 3.

Despite it being the peak summer season, they showed immense enthusiasm for Korean cuisine, going so far as to close their restaurants to attend the "Korean Taste & Terroir Lab" (Korean food culture experience) event.

Having previously learned temple cuisine from Venerable Jeonggwan at Baegyangsa Temple in Jangseong, South Jeolla Province, the chefs will stay in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, for two days starting today to directly experience the tastes and philosophy of traditional Korean food, including Jongga (traditional elite family) cuisine and fermented dishes.


Recently, as nature-friendly health foods have gained traction in the global culinary industry, South Korea's fermented foods such as doenjang (soybean paste) and ganjang (soy sauce) are receiving a great response.

This event was organized through the concerted efforts of individuals including Association President Choi Eun-ok, who runs a Korean restaurant in Paris, and Promotion Committee Member Choi Jang-min.

"While places selling everyday Korean foods like bulgogi or bibimbap have increased in Paris recently, it is still hard to find Korean cuisine in fine dining restaurants," Association President Choi Eun-ok explained regarding the intention behind the planning.

She added, "Through this exchange, we hope that our Korean cuisine will deeply root itself and successfully settle in the overseas fine dining market as well."
 
(Photo courtesy of FRKO Connect Association, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.