Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung (sixth from left) on Jan. 27 takes a group photo at the Korean Food Promotion Institute in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. She discussed at the gathering the planned launch of Sura School, a culinary training center for Hansik (traditional food) and expanded use of domestically produced ingredients such as soybeans. (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
By Yoo Yeon Gyeong
A culinary training center will be opened later this year to develop foreign talent specializing in Hansik (traditional cuisine).
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Jan. 26 announced the launch of Sura School in the second half of the year to train foreign chefs who will lead the spread of Hansik overseas and food exports.
Minister Song Mi-ryung attended a meeting that day with figures related to Hansik and restaurants at the Korean Food Promotion Institute in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. They discussed opening the school and expanding the use of domestically made ingredients such as soybeans.
The ministry will cooperate with chefs, food companies and professors to develop a practical curriculum focused on on-site capability. It will provide full-cycle education on Hansik from the second half of the year through private institutions.
A premium edition of the school will open next year for a small number of elite students, who will receive intensive training from top Hansik exports to lead the spread of the cuisine on the global gourmet market.
The details will be discussed on Jan. 29 at the National Policy Coordination Meeting chaired by the prime minister.
The ministry is devising a plan to boost global Hansik education, reflecting the industry's view that human resource development is necessary to broaden Hansik's base given the rising popularity of Korean food.
"Given the rising global status of Hansik and K-food, it is now time to expand Hansik education," Minister Song said. "I hope that through Sura School, Hansik goes beyond a passing fad and becomes a global genre of food culture."
dusrud21@korea.kr