Challenger chef, judge and the owner of Mŏkbar, Esther Choi shares her introduction to the culinary world and mission to celebrate Korean culture through her craft. She reflects on her initial introduction to Food Network and treasured memories made while cooking with her grandmother. Chef Esther emphasizes the value of cooking with fresh, homegrown ingredients, making each element by hand and other lessons her grandmother taught her. Reminiscing about elementary school days in Korea, she offers her perspective on their culture and cuisine. Esther dishes on the New York restaurant scene, praising its diverse representation of the Korean flavor spectrum. She shares her strategy for introducing Americans in small towns and big cities to her roots and encouraging them to cook with Korean elements. The restaurateur reveals challenges and considerations she had to make when scaling her concept into three restaurants and planning menus for each. Esther explains the cultural significance of shareable food and her people-first approach to curating menus. Finally, the Beat Bobby Flay winner opens up about judging and competing on television, spilling her rigorous training techniques.Find episode transcripts here: https://food-network-obsessed.simplecast.com/episodes/esther-choi-champions-the-global-sport-of-korean-foodVOTE FOR FOOD NETWORK OBSESSED: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2023/podcasts/general-series/lifestyleFollow Food Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnetworkFollow Jaymee Sire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeesireFollow Esther Choi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choibites/Follow Esther Choi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.choi.108Follow Esther Choi on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choibitesFollow Esther Choi on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@choibites4038Learn More About Beat Bobby Flay: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/beat-bobby-flayLearn More About Battle of the Brothers: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/battle-of-the-brothersLearn More About Money Hungry: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/money-hungryLearn More About Supermarket Stakeout: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/supermarket-stakeoutLearn More About Family Meal: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/family-mealLearn More About Chopped: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/choppedLearn More About Throwdown with Michael Symon: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/throwdown-with-michael-symonLearn More About Iron Chef: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/iron-chef