Food From The Seoul: Meet Chef Chihi
Meet Chef Chihi, founder of Food From The Seoul!
Chef Chihi creates amazing grazing boards in the DC Metropolitan area, prepares the most delicious meals, has a passion for preparing culinary works of art, and more.
I entered a giveaway contest in December 2020, from which I won a gorgeously created grazing board, and I’ve been ordering from Chef Chihi ever since. I’ve ordered holiday grazing boards as well as multiple meals from her secret Friday menus (check out her Instagram stories for those secret menu updates). She is a professionally trained chef who caters and also offers private chef services.
There is so much more for you to discover about her. I asked her some questions and thought you should read her answers and see the gorgeous dishes she prepares below. I truly wish you could taste the deliciousness through the screen!
Q&A
At what age did you begin cooking/baking (even if pretending to cook/bake)?
I began cooking in my late teenage years, college cafeteria food and cup of noodles didn’t cut it for me. Haha!
When did you know that cooking/baking was something you wanted to do professionally?
When I was living in Miami, my friends and I would have get-togethers and all I would do is cook and bake for them. I loved hosting and I realized I could do that for a living. I knew the basics of cooking, so I challenged myself and enrolled in the Pastry degree in Le Cordon Bleu Miami and graduated as a pastry chef. After graduating, I realized I had no patience on the waiting game for baking and that baking was not for me, so I shifted to culinary, I love the heat, fire, being able to experiment more.
Who/what inspired you to begin your cooking/baking journey?
Living in Miami and being a bit homesick, missing authentic Korean food was one of the main reasons why I started cooking. Also, my love for food, being exposed to different cultures, cuisines, and flavors.
What is your favorite food/drink/dessert/dish to make? Your specialty?
Ohhh, this is the hardest question everyone asks me. I don’t have a favorite dish to make, but I truly enjoy cooking Korean and Bolivian food.
If you had to eat the same meal + dessert every day, which meal + dessert would those be?
Bibimbap for sure. Rice bowl with different veggies, must have the fried egg on top, and cannot forget the spicy gochujang sauce. You can always mix and match different Ingredients and switch it up a bit every time. My weakness is passion fruit mousse with a little bit of dark chocolate. YUM.
Which dish/food/drink/dessert is the most requested from your clients? From your family?
My clients and family are so well-traveled and open to new and different cuisines that they usually don’t request anything specific.. I get a lot of “surprise me” answers when I ask what they would like to have but, if I have to pick, I mostly get Korean food requests, especially KBBQ!
What other hobbies/interested do you have?
Photography & Traveling: Visiting different countries and going to the market all the way to shopping on “5th Ave”, I love experiencing and seeing how locals live as well as being as touristy as I can be.
Other things people should know about you?
I was raised in Bolivia, hence my love and much respect for Latin culture and food!
What specialties are you currently offering?
I am currently offering grazing boxes. Every grazing box is curated with love and care to enjoy. I am also offering them with or without Bolivian wine (supporting my local vineyards back home). You can order by sending me an email at foodfromtheseoul@gmail.com
Amazing dishes prepared by Chef Chihi
Buen provecho!
