We aspire to cultivate a dynamic platform that not only celebrates tradition but also embraces the evolution of culture through the lens of multiple generations. Food anchors our community, igniting conversations and facilitating shared learnings, as we foster meaningful connections, drive innovation, and champion diversity on our journey towards a more inclusive and vibrant future.
At Baroo, Kwang Uh and Mina Park are redefining Korean cuisine. Their journey from a fermentation lab in an East Hollywood strip mall to a complete tasting menu experience in the Arts District is anything but conventional.
At the intersection of visual art and culinary craftsmanship, artist Glenn Kaino and Lucia Cho, president of Hwayo, share stories and sources of creative inspiration. From Cho’s Korean family traditions to Kaino’s experience as the fourth generation of Japanese-Americans in East LA, they share a passion for art and food that defines their collaborative spirits.
Nom Wah, the iconic dim sum establishment in Manhattan’s Chinatown, thrives under the leadership of Wilson Tang, who took over his family’s restaurant business in 2011, transitioning from a career in finance. Tang has preserved the restaurant’s rich history while expanding its presence to multiple locations, including Philadelphia and China.
Sungchul Shim, born and raised in the Korean province of Jeollanam-do, honed his culinary skills in his family’s kitchen, preparing meals for large gatherings. His latest project, Mari in Hell’s Kitchen, features a tasting menu inspired by Korean street food hand rolls.
Elizabeth Ai is an Emmy award-winning director, writer, and producer. Her latest project, New Wave, is a historical coming-of-age story about Vietnamese refugee youth who, after the fall of Saigon in 1975, used the “new wave” music scene to rebuild their community and redefine their identities.
Joseph Lee, known for his Emmy-nominated role in Netflix’s BEEF, is also a rising star in the art world. As a self-taught painter, Joseph’s vibrant and emotionally charged work has been exhibited internationally.
Susanna Yoon, founder of Stick With Me Sweets, began her culinary journey at The International Culinary Center and honed her skills at Cafe Boulud and Per Se before opening her own chocolate shop in New York. Yoon’s jewel-like bonbons are works of art, inspired by her Korean heritage and childhood memories
Kiho and Hiroyuki Watanabe, owners of Tokyo-based beauty brand uka, aim to help everyone achieve true beauty through natural, salon-tested products that build confidence and happiness. Central to their philosophy is the concept of “regenerative good,” creating products that benefit both personal well-being and the planet.
Ha’s Đac Biêt, a pop-up run by fiancé-fiancée duo Sadie Mae Burns and Anthony Ha, became a pandemic sensation with their vibrant Vietnamese-Cambodian menus and spirited approach to dining. The couple met while working at Mission Chinese Food in 2015 and have since transformed their experiences into a unique culinary journey, earning widespread acclaim and becoming one of the most sought-after reservations in New York.
LA-based Lexie Park is a multidimensional artist and designer working in food. After a decade-long career in fashion, she combined her passion for cooking and design to create Nünchi, a project inspired by the Korean concept of empathy and emotional intelligence.
Irene Yoo, founder of Yooeating, is a chef known for her Korean American comfort food. Starting out as a popup restaurant in Brooklyn, Yooeating is now a channel that explores Korean home cooking, street food, and culinary history, influenced by Yoo’s time spent between Detroit, Seoul, and Los Angeles.
Hallie Chen, designer at CAHA Designs, was born and raised in San Francisco. With a background in urban planning and architecture, Hallie combines her expertise in commercial interiors and office developments to “create thoughtful contemporary spaces by integrating diverse backgrounds in design, construction, community development, art, and ecology.”
Vivian Chen, aka “The Hospitality Lawyer,” is a second-generation Korean American who grew up in LA and moved to Korea at 13. With a background deeply rooted in the restaurant industry, thanks to her grandparents’ culinary ventures across the US, she has combined her heritage with her legal expertise to support chefs and restaurant owners.