Deep Culinary Craftsmanship of Suncheon, Producing Masters

Kim Mira, CEO of Sansujeong, Korean Traditional Food Master of Korea

Park Hyesook, CEO of Hyangtocheong, Master of the Korea Culinary Association

Suncheon City in Jeollanam-do selected Kim Mira, CEO of ‘Sansujeong,’ and Park Hyesook, CEO of ‘Hyangtojeong,’ as masters in a competition held by food-related associations last May.

The masters are chosen by professional judges based on each organization’s criteria, including career, expertise, and ethics. Kim Mira, CEO of ‘Sansujeong,’ was selected as a Korean cuisine master by the Korea Korean Cuisine Forum, a subordinate organization approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, while Park Hyesook, CEO of ‘Hyangtojeong,’ was selected as a master in the Korean traditional table d’hote category by the Korea Culinary Association, a corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Hansik Master Kim Mira [Photo provided by Suncheon City]

Master Kim Mira has been operating the Korean restaurant ‘Sansujeong’ in Cheongso-gol, Suncheon, known for its cleanliness, for over 25 years. She has won awards such as the Grand Prize at the ‘Suncheon Taste Food Competition’ in 2014 and 2022, and the Presidential Award at the ‘Korea International Culinary Competition’ in 2018.

Additionally, she contributes to the development of local food culture by running kimchi education programs based on her own know-how.

Master Park Hyesook of ‘Hyangtojeong’ has continued the taste of Suncheon using seasonal ingredients from the Namdo region for two generations. She has received awards such as the Grand Prize at the 2019 ‘KOREA World Food Championship’ and the Grand Prize at the 2020 ‘Suncheon Gourmet Battle,’ and her restaurant was selected as a Century-Old Store certified by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

Master Chef Hye-sook Park of the Korea Culinary Association [Photo provided by Suncheon City]

Recently, she has been working to improve the local food culture by signing a business agreement with an agricultural corporation to develop traditional Korean cuisine menus using local ingredients.

A city official stated, “The emergence of local food masters has helped promote the excellence of Suncheon’s food culture and served as an opportunity to leap forward as an ecological gourmet city,” adding, “We plan to continue efforts to enhance competitiveness as an ecological gourmet city through food-related education and consulting.”