Nanro Foundation, a nonprofit society launched to advance industrialization, research and next-generation talent development for Korean cuisine, said on April 4 that it will hold the global hansik symposium “Nanro Insight” on April 29 and 30 at Leeum Museum of Art in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Nanro Foundation is a nonprofit led by chef Choi Jung-yoon — head chef of Sempio Woorimat Research Center and Korea-China vice chair of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants (W50B). It began in 2022 as a community that takes its name from the “Nanrohoe,” the meat-grilling gatherings enjoyed by Joseon-era Silhak scholars such as Yeonam Park Ji-won and Dasan Jeong Yak-yong.
Nanrohoe has become a leading domestic hansik industry gathering, bringing together Korean chefs, popular restaurant owners and experts from food, traditional liquor, finance, IT, branding, media, art, music, film, construction and other industries to study Korean food culture and discuss industry development. Some 300 people have taken part across roughly 40 sessions to date. In November 2023, it was formally registered as a nonprofit society to promote hansik talent development and global exchange, moving beyond the K-Food wave to secure the long-term global sustainability of the Korean-food industry.
To expand the discussions, research, experiences and cross-industry exchange nurtured through Nanrohoe, the foundation is now holding the global hansik program “Nanrohoe 2024.” Its centerpiece, the global hansik symposium Nanro Insight, examines how Korean cuisine can succeed in world markets. Under the theme “The Future of Gastronomy: Speaking of Hansik,” experts from Korea and abroad will discuss hansik’s global growth potential.
The debut edition of Nanro Insight will bring together top chefs and hansik leaders from Korea and abroad. Attendees include chef Virgilio Martínez of Central (Peru), ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the 2023 W50B list along with Disfrutar, and Simon Kim, CEO of COTE, the Michelin-starred Korean restaurant 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., will also present their innovation stories and the keys to their 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, who will share insights and pursue cross-industry exchange for hansik’s development and globalization.
Tickets for Nanro Insight will go on sale via CatchTable at 5 p.m. on April 4. Attendees may buy either a one-day or a two-day pass.
“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.”
· Original (Korean): fnnews.com
