LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL announced that its Chef Sin Ji-hun and Pâtissier Bae Yeong-san won gold and silver medals, respectively, at the IKA Culinary Olympics 2024 in Germany.
The IKA Culinary Olympics, held every four years, is a long-standing culinary competition that began in 1900. It is considered one of the world’s top three culinary competitions, alongside the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg held by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) and the FHA Culinary Challenge.
The competition took place from February 2 to 7 in Stuttgart, Germany, drawing more than 1,800 chefs from 67 countries.
Chef Sin Ji-hun, representing Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul, participated in the Culinary Arts solo exhibition, securing a gold medal with his five-course menu that included both dessert and finger food.
He showcased zero-waste dishes aimed at minimizing the waste of main ingredients and introduced unconventional recipes for vegan menus. His work was lauded for the seamless flow of the courses, the vibrant originality of the plate presentations, and the meticulous attention to detail.
Chef Sin Ji-hun stated, “I am even more pleased and proud of this achievement, as it came after more than four months of preparation. During this time, I continuously studied and revised, all while balancing work and my preparation for the competition.” He added, “I will continue to grow and challenge myself, sharing what I have learned with the same passion.”
Pâtissier Bae Yeong-san, part of the culinary team, earned a silver medal in the Pastry Art solo exhibition with his four seasons-themed desserts.
Utilizing seasonal fruits, he crafted a dessert that visually represented the colors of each season, earning high praise for both the harmony of ingredients and its visually appealing presentation.
Pâtissier Bae Yeong-san said, “The preparation for the competition was a significant learning experience, and winning this award has bolstered my confidence and courage for the future,” adding, “I aim to continue challenging myself and using feedback to create menus that delight all five senses.”
* LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL Official Website: https://www.lottehotel.com/seoul-hotel/en.html
