"Both His Cooking and Character Are Michelin-Starred": Hyundai Card Vice Chairman and DL Group Heir Praise Chef Jongwon Son

Rising Popularity After Appearing on "Black and White Chef 2"
The Only Chef in Korea Awarded Michelin Stars in Both Korean and Western Cuisine

Chef Jongwon Son, who appeared on Netflix's variety show "Black and White Chef 2," is drawing attention as he receives public support from prominent business figures. On January 7, Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Jung Taeyoung posted a photo of Chef Son on his social media, commenting, "Although I do not usually prefer course meals, Chef Son's food was so impressive that I wanted to return. The depth of the dishes, especially considering the pairing with alcohol, is at a level of two Michelin stars or higher."

He began his domestic career as the head chef of 'L'Amant Secret' with the opening of the L'Escape Hotel in 2018, and the restaurant earned one Michelin star within two years of its opening. Since 2022, he has been in charge of 'Eatanic Garden,' maintaining its one Michelin star. Photo by Jongwon Son Instagram

He added, "From the very first meeting, his welcoming smile left a strong impression," noting that Chef Son's personality on the show is true to his real-life character. On the same day, Lee Jooyoung, the fourth-generation member of the DL Group and an influencer, also posted a photo with Chef Son, writing, "I can't bring myself to watch episode 11 of 'Black and White Chef 2.'" In that episode, Chef Son was eliminated after a one-on-one match.

Chef Jongwon Son is a leading figure in Korea's hotel fine dining scene, heading the Korean restaurant "Eatanic Garden" at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam and the French restaurant "L'Amant Secret" at L'Escape Hotel. Both restaurants have earned one Michelin star, and Chef Son is the only chef in Korea to have received Michelin stars in both Korean and Western cuisine.

Vice Chairman Tae-young Jung and Lee Jooyoung, the fourth-generation member of DL Group, posted a photo of Chef Jongwon Son. Instagram

In January last year, he joined JTBC's "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator," where he first gained public recognition as the so-called "Nice Guy with a Good Vibe." His recent appearance on "Black and White Chef 2" has further boosted his popularity. After graduating from middle school in Bundang, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, he went to the United States for early studies. He developed a serious interest in cooking after entering university in the U.S. He studied at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and gained experience at Denmark's "Noma" and the Michelin three-star restaurant "Quince" in the United States.

He began his domestic career as the head chef of "L'Amant Secret" with the opening of the L'Escape Hotel in 2018, and the restaurant earned one Michelin star within two years of its opening. Since 2022, he has been in charge of "Eatanic Garden," maintaining its one Michelin star. Both restaurants have been consistently featured in the French gastronomy guide "La Liste." In 2023, Chef Son received the "Young Chef of the Year" award at the La Liste ceremony, and his recent television appearances have rapidly expanded his public recognition.