Where chefs meet neuroscientists: the future of gastronomy expands on Yeongjongdo

A forum is set to open that redefines gastronomy beyond the kitchen — extending into culture, neuroscience, medicine and social values.

Paradise Group announced Wednesday that it will host the "La Liste 2027 Korea Awards" and the global gastronomy forum "Next Gastronomy Korea 2026" alongside French culinary guide La Liste at Paradise City on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, on Monday.

La Liste is a French gastronomy guide that uses comprehensive data from more than 200 countries to evaluate restaurants, hotels and pastry shops worldwide, selecting a global top 1,000 and special award recipients across categories.

The awards ceremony, to be held Monday at the Grand Ballroom of Paradise City, will recognize Korean restaurants and chefs that made the La Liste 2027 global top 1,000. About 240 food and restaurant industry figures from Korea and abroad are expected to attend.

Attendees will include La Liste President Philippe Faure, former French Gastronomy Ambassador Guillaume Gomez and Executive Chef Amaury Bouhours. A gala dinner following the ceremony will feature a collaborative multi-course meal prepared by chefs Choi Hyun-seok, Kang Min-cheol, Kim Hee-eun, Yoon Dae-hyun and Jonathan Soukdeo.

"La Liste sees its role as going beyond spotlighting outstanding restaurants and chefs — it is about connecting food lovers around the world so they can share knowledge and inspiration," said Stephanie Kim, La Liste's international director. "We hope this event will showcase Korea's global achievements in gastronomy and serve as an opportunity to explore the future of food from diverse perspectives, including culture, science and wellness."

The forum "Next Gastronomy Korea 2026," held ahead of the awards ceremony, will bring together about 80 experts to examine the value of food culture. The first session will address gastronomic diplomacy and the development of traditional food culture. The second session will feature neuroscientist Jang Dong-sun, WIM Clinic Director Woo Chang-yoon, Fredmoi Executive Chef Yoon Hwa-young and His Beans CEO Lim Jung-taek, who will explore how food affects human emotions and physical well-being, as well as social inclusion and sustainability.

"This year we have structured the event to offer a broader view of gastronomy by adding perspectives from neuroscience, medicine and social values to the experiences of world-class chefs," a Paradise Group official said. "We will continue to develop this as a platform where food enthusiasts at home and abroad can share ideas and forge new collaborations, helping to connect the competitiveness of Korean gastronomy with the world."