The Swiss luxury watch manufacture is delighted to announce that Korean two Michelin stars chef Mingoo Kang has joined the Hublot family. Like Hublot position in the watchmaking world, the chef established an unrivaled position in the Korean contemporary culinary universe.
Hublot is delighted to welcome Mingoo Kang as new Friend of the Brand, furthering the Maison links with visionaries collaborations in the world of gastronomy.
Chef Kang has already built an impressive resume overseas, although still in his early 30s. After becoming the youngest head chef at Nobu Bahamas (part of renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s empire), Kang has since worked in various locations around the world before returning to Seoul, Korea, in 2014. He established himself as a leader in the Korean food contemporary field. If there’s one identity that Mingles can claim, it’s that of serving innovative ”Hansik”- traditional Korean - food. “I use different Korean herbs and ingredients that are in season, as well as traditional sauces and fermented vinegar to create my dishes,” Kang explains.
The name of his restaurant, “Mingles” comes from the chef Mingoo Kang’s name, it also signifies a “harmonious mix of different things.” His Seoul restaurant, voted the best restaurant in Korea, is a space where the young 2 Michelin stars chef’s dreams, experiences and philosophy all come together. The 2 Michelin stars chef constantly works to be better today than he was yesterday and consciously uses precise components in his dishes, similar to the precision of a watch movement. This is exactly the same vision Hublot has in the watchmaking world.
"Hublot is a brand that honors tradition while fusing and innovating, When I look at Hublot watches, I realize that they are very similar to “Mingles”, which respects tradition but pursues change and innovation by adding today's sensibilities. I will always keep a watch with these values close at hand to remind me of the preciousness of time." said Chef Kang.
The Art of Fusion
Hublot's mastery of ‘The Art of Fusion’ is most evident in our tradition of innovation. From the first use of rubber in fine watchmaking, to creating new precious alloys such as scratch-proof Magic Gold. Hublot has consistently pioneered by discovering new purposes for materials and boldly combining them. In Kang’s signature dishes, he designs and created each single one to produce the best of haute cuisine with imagination and ingenious details.
Meticulous expertise and a passion for fine artistry, blended together with time, are the ingredients of both gourmet cuisine and Haute Horlogerie. Precise timing is essential for chefs and patrons alike from the moment of ordering, plating up on the pass, and through to service.
This collaboration between Hublot and 2 Michelin stars Chef Mingoo Kang is expected to breathe new life into the manufacture’s watchmaking revolution. He joins Hublot’s growing family of culinary partners, with three Michel stars chefs Yannick Alléno, Eneko Atxa, Andreas Caminada, Jan Hartwig, Paul Pairet, Anne-Sophie Pic and Clare Smyth.
