Son Jong-won

Son Jong-won was born in 1984 and spent part of his youth studying in the United States. He attended All Saints' Day School before enrolling at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana to study civil engineering. During his fourth year of engineering studies, Son's interests shifted toward culinary arts after coming across students of the Culinary Institute of America in New York City wearing chef's uniforms.^[3][4]

After deciding to pursue a culinary career, Son gained early professional experience working at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Benu, Quince, and Coi in the United States, as well as Noma in Denmark. In 2018, he returned to South Korea and became the head chef of L'Amant Secret in Seoul, which received its first Michelin star in 2021 under his leadership. He later became the head chef of Eatanic Garden, which has also been awarded one Michelin star.^[5]

In November 2023, Son was named one of the New Talents of the Year 2024 by the La Liste culinary guide at an awards ceremony in Paris, making him the only Korean chef to win the title that year.^[6]

Son has served as a mentor and judge in international culinary initiatives such as the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition, where he worked with and guided younger chefs in regional finals.^[7] He has collaborated with Michelin-recognized restaurants overseas, including Seroja in Singapore and Belon in Hong Kong, hosting gala dinners featuring Korean cuisine and ingredients.^[8] Son has spoken on the importance of Korean ingredients and culinary heritage in global food trends, including at events such as, "Taste of Hansik, Taste of Korea," organized by the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Korean Food Promotion Institution.^[9]

Under Son's leadership, Eatanic Garden debuted on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list at #25 and received the Highest New Entry Award in 2025.^[10] In April 2026, Son served as the executive chef for a state dinner hosted by President Lee Jae-myung for French President Emmanuel Macron at Blue House's Sangchunjae. He presented a six-course menu blending Korean ingredients with French techniques.^[11]

In 2022, Son was selected as an ambassador for the Swiss watch brand Blancpain.^[12] In 2025, he was selected as one of the ambassadors for Johnnie Walker Blue Label alongside Zo In-sung, Honey J, and Johnny.^[13] He was also selected as a model for Nespresso Professional.^[14] In November 2025, Son partnered with Emart24 to launch the 'Family Meal' line, a series of high-quality convenience store ready-meals. Due to the project's success, which contributed to a fourfold increase in the retailer's chef-collaboration sales, a second line titled 'Day Off' was released in April 2026.^[15][16]

In March 2026, Son was selected as the first partner of the brand partnership program "Mercedes-Benz Mate" by Mercedes-Benz Korea.^[17] He was also selected as a collaborative partner to develop a limited-edition summer menu alongside Culinary Director Jim Frisch for Shake Shack's 10th anniversary in Korea. Son announced that all personal proceeds from the partnership would be donated to charity.^[18] In April 2026, Son was selected as the brand campaign model for Yorien, a natural-filtration water purifier brand by Samik Pharmaceutical, for the launch of their premium "Chablis" product line.^[19]