Master chef An Yu-seong gives culinary masterclass to Gwangju apprentice students

An Yu-seong, a recipient of the Republic of Korea Master Craftsman designation, gave a cooking lesson to students in Gwangju and shared his views on the skills chefs will need in the age of AI. The students watched An demonstrate techniques and prepared dishes themselves at a culinary examination facility used for national skills certification tests.

The Human Resources Development Service of Korea held a vocational exploration lecture titled "From Sweat to Master Craftsman" Thursday at its Gwangju regional headquarters culinary exam facility in Buk-gu. Twenty-three participants attended, including apprentice students from Sungui Science and Technology High School and local university students.

An led a discussion with students on the theme of "Skills and attitudes chefs need in the AI era," covering how technological advances are changing professional kitchens and the role skilled tradespeople play in that shift. Participants received safety and hygiene training before following An's demonstration to prepare their own dishes. After the hands-on session, they tasted the food they had made and asked questions about careers in the culinary field.

The agency organized the lecture to strengthen the vocational competencies of high school students enrolled in work-study programs that combine classroom instruction with on-site corporate training, and to help them explore career paths. A group of young agency employees called the "Eum Junior Bridge Board" proposed the initiative, which opens agency facilities to local students and youth and shares the experiences of skilled craftspeople.

Lee Byeong-hun, president of the agency, said he hoped the lecture would "be of great help to local young people as they plan their futures," adding that the agency would "take the lead in supporting apprentice students so they can grow into the core talent that will drive the Republic of Korea forward."