By Lee, Jeong-eun
As Korean foods are getting popular in the world, three-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is going to introduce Korean cuisine or "hansik" to the world.
Korean foods are gaining popularity with foreigners, as a result of this three-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is going to introduce Korean cuisine or "hansik" to the world.
“Korea offers a lot of complex foods, and I've been inspired to make new combinations from what I have seen here," the chef said in a press conference in central Seoul on May 12.
"When I came to Korea for the first time about 5 years ago, I was so impressed after having a Korean dish which was made of vegetables and seafood," he added.
The well-known chef who also owns and runs 20 restaurants in the world. He and his wife, Marja Vongerichten, came to Korea to find and show Korean cuisines for television documentary series, "Stop and Bap Korea(a provisional title)." It will be aired by the U.S. Public Broadcasting system (PBS) from January next year.
Chef Vongerichten, who lived in Southeast Asia in 1980s, was fascinated by traditional Korean foods which are very unique.
The 53-year-old chef expressed his opinion that "The thing most Korean is also the most international" and expected traditional Korean food will be successful in New York City.
He gave an example. "Thai foods in New York are very different from the ones in Bangkok. Thai dishes in New York restaurant have stronger, sweeter flavor than the ones in Bangkok."
"I will try my best to represent Korean dishes the way they should be represented,'' his wife, Marja added. "Korean cuisine has not been shown in a very basic, traditional way,'' she said, adding that the documentary avoids fusion dishes that cater to Western palates.
He also expressed his pleasure on taking to the road to explore the local grub. "We are going to explore traditional Korean restaurants throughout Korea and learn how to make their food. Also we are going to meet Korean chefs to learn the tradition and history of Korean food. I'm so glad to be able to introduce Korean food to the world," the chef said with smile.
Moreover, he wants to share the recipes for Korean cuisine on websites, and he will demonstrate how to make them on TV cooking show.
"Through this documentary, I want to send a message of rediscovering the values of Korea. I was deeply moved when I saw Lee Young-hee who follows the traditional approach with the making and modernizing of traditional Korean clothes. I think it is important to modernize the taste of Korean cuisines, too," the chef said.
Thanks to his wife, Marja, who has a Korean mother and an American father, he has a deep affection for Korea and Korean food.
Marja also showed her love towards Korean cuisines. "Korean food means a connection to me. Korean food has connected me to my motherland, Korea. When I met my real mother for the first time here, we had Korean noodles. The noodles made me feel warm and reminded me the food I had eaten long time ago in Korea," the chef's wife said.
The thirteen half-hour episodes of "Stop and Bap Korea" will be a stepping stone to globalize Korean food.
In cooperation with the Korean Food Foundation and the Visit Korea Committee, the documentaries will be produced by Frappe Inc., known for their food travel series on Spain.
Charles Pinsky from Frappe Inc. and Park Jung-sook, an actress who played the role of Queen Munjeong in the hit drama "Jewel in the Palace" (2003) will produce the series and Korean-American Eric Rhee will direct .
nvcess@ajnews.co.kr
[아주경제 ajnews.co.kr] 무단전재 배포금지
