Government Dispatches Korean Food Experts to Overseas Missions and Hotels in 17 Countries

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korean Food Promotion Institute announced on the 3rd that they will dispatch a total of 25 Korean food experts to 21 institutions in 17 countries this year to enhance the image of Korean cuisine worldwide.

In 2019, the scale of Korean food promotion projects was expanded in collaboration with 19 institutions in 18 countries, including developing and selling Korean food menus at hotels and opening Korean food courses at universities. However, these activities were temporarily suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19, and last year, the program was downsized with 6 experts dispatched to 5 countries.

This year, taking advantage of the phased return to normal life and the resurgence of the Korean Wave, the project will be actively pursued. The dispatched experts will operate Korean food education and experience programs in collaboration with overseas institutions, including local institutions such as diplomatic missions and Korean cultural centers, educational institutions like universities, and hotels.

Personnel dispatched to local institutions such as diplomatic missions will conduct promotional events such as Korean food demonstrations and experiences at national commemorative events for about two months. Those sent to educational institutions are qualified Korean food instructors who will hold Korean food courses at the respective institutions for at least one month. In the case of hotels, professional Korean chefs will be dispatched, forming teams of up to three people to provide Korean food education including menu development and cooking practice for about two weeks.

From March 18 to April 18, a one-month recruitment for Korean food experts was held, resulting in 68 applicants, of whom 25 were finally selected. Eight experts were assigned to local institutions in eight countries including the United States and Hungary, five to educational institutions in five countries including Brazil and India, and sixteen to hotels in eight countries including Spain and Jordan.

The dispatch began last month with Bahrain (Manama, Embassy), Thailand (Bangkok, Korean Cultural Center), and Jordan (Amman, Fairmont Hotel). Going forward, Korean food experts will be sequentially dispatched to overseas institutions according to the agreement periods.