Lotte Hotel & Resort announced on September 10 that Chef Kim Se-han from the Grand Lotte Seoul has been selected as the latest recipient of the '18th Master Craftsman of Korea' award, designated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Industrial Manpower Corporation.
With this selection, Lotte Hotel & Resort has produced seven out of the 18 Master Craftsmen in the culinary field, setting a record for the most in the industry.
The title of Master Craftsman of Korea is the highest honor awarded to skilled professionals who have contributed significantly to technological advancement and industrial competitiveness after working in the field for over 15 years.
Since the appointment of the second Master, Park Byeong-hak, in 2001, Lotte Hotel & Resort has produced Master Craftsmen including Moon Mun-sul (2008), Lee Byeong-woo (2010), Kim Song-ki (2016), Nam Dae-hyun (2020), and Cheon Deok-sang (2022). This latest selection continues the legacy of culinary excellence after a four-year hiatus since 2022.
Chef Kim Se-han, the seventh Master Craftsman from Lotte Hotel & Resort, has worked at the Grand Lotte Seoul for approximately 34 years since 1992, making significant contributions to the advancement of culinary techniques and the globalization of Korean cuisine. He has also obtained four cooking method patents, including for the production of bisque sauce and sous-vide smoked pig's feet.
He has received multiple awards at international competitions, including the Luxembourg World Cup Culinary Competition and the Culinary Olympics in Germany. His practical skills have been recognized through his successful participation in national events such as the APEC Summit and the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, where he managed large-scale banquets and international events.
Chef Kim expressed his gratitude, stating, "I owe this achievement to the unwavering support of Lotte Hotel & Resort and the encouragement of my colleagues. I will continue to contribute to the advancement of the culinary field through ongoing research and technology development, and I will strive to pass on my experiences and know-how to younger chefs."
Currently, Lotte Hotel & Resort has two Master Craftsmen, including Kim Song-ki, the 11th Master and head of the Culinary R&D Department, and the newly appointed Kim Se-han. Lotte Hotel & Resort is the only hotel with active Master Craftsmen. Additionally, it boasts 34 culinary experts across various fields, including Korean, Western, Chinese, Japanese cuisine, and bakery.
Lotte Hotel & Resort has also produced numerous skilled technicians based on a systematic talent development system. It provides opportunities for young chefs to showcase their practical skills through internal competitions, allowing them to develop creative ideas into actual products and menus.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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