Michelin double-star power: Chef Son Jong-won named Shinsegae executive

Star chef Son Jong-won has been promoted to a specialist executive position at Shinsegae Group.

Shinsegae Group announced its regular executive reshuffle Friday, naming Son, head chef at Josun Hotels & Resorts, as a specialist executive — the only one among 36 newly appointed executives to receive that designation.

Unlike standard managerial roles, the specialist executive title is reserved for individuals recognized for exceptional expertise and achievement in a specific field. Son's promotion reflects his culinary accomplishments and track record running two of the group's flagship restaurants.

Son currently serves as head chef at Itanic Garden, a hansik dining restaurant at Josun Palace, and La Maison Secrète, a French restaurant at L'Escape Hotel, both operated by Josun Hotels & Resorts.

Both restaurants earned one Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2026, announced this year. Itanic Garden has held its star for four consecutive years since first receiving it in 2023, while La Maison Secrète has maintained its star for six consecutive years since 2021.

Son studied in the United States from high school and trained at Michelin three-star restaurants including Quince in San Francisco and Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark, before returning to South Korea in 2017 to lead both restaurants.

In 2023, Son became the first Korean chef to win the New Talents of the Year award at La Liste 2024, the French gastronomic guide.

He has also gained wider public recognition through appearances on several entertainment programs, including the Netflix cooking competition series Culinary Class Wars 2 and JTBC's Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.