As a multiple award-winning leader, Cho is passionate about driving business and financial growth. Having established her impact on global marketing, brand management, and public relations, she gained the opportunity to transform the world's perception of Korean cuisine and design as the Creative Director for the Kwangjuyo Group while serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Gaon Society.
Cho has a robust educational background encompassing a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, an MBA from Loyola University, and a Master of Quality Food and Culture Communication from the University of Gastronomic Sciences (Italy).
Cho had the opportunity and the tools to build two iconic MICHELIN-starred winning restaurants in Seoul, establish Korean ceramics and tableware brands, and build partnerships with MICHELIN-starred winning chefs while putting her own brand on conceptual work for luxury brands. She has now relocated to New York City where she is excited to continue my work to build brand excellence.
Some of the achievements of which Cho is most proud are as follows:
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She directed branding strategy and executive operations of two prominent restaurant brands in Korea – GAON and Bicena – receiving 3 and 1 MICHELIN Star respectively, the first 4 MICHELIN Star-awarded restaurant group in Korea (the Guide launched in Korea in 2016).
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After earlier efforts by Gaon Society to establish fine dining restaurants in Korea failed (2003 – 2008), she successfully established the award-winning, world class restaurants GAON and Bicena, regaining patron loyalty and establishing a “restaurant and chef” culture specializing in Korean cuisine.
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She established global collaborations with restaurants in USA, Denmark, and Korea, hosting numerous events, and participated in major Korean exhibitions and events.
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She has been sought out for numerous TV events and conferences as a featured speaker or host.
Restaurant Awards
2016
(KOREA) awarded <MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2017> 3 stars Restaurant for GAON
(KOREA) awarded <MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2017> 1 star Restaurant for Bicena
2017
(KOREA) awarded <MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2018> 3 stars Restaurant for GAON
(KOREA) awarded <MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2018> 1 star Restaurant for Bicena
2018
(KOREA) awarded <MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2019> 3 stars Restaurant for GAON
(KOREA) awarded <MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2019> 1 star Restaurant for Bicena
2019
(INTERNATIONAL) Selected as the New Member of Relais & Chateaux for GAON
Speaking Engagements
2014
Lecture – HANON, a non-profit student organization from Sungkyunkwan University, Korea
Lecture – Students enrolled in Bar Management Program at Woo Sung University, Korea
Hyundai Kia Motor Executive Design Team- “Building Identity and Uniqueness”
2015
Cambridge University for Korean Student Council on Korean Food Culture, UK
2017
Guest speaker for SF Asian Art Museum ‘Tasting Menu: Kwangjuyo Ceramics and Corey Lee’, USA
“Promoting Culture and Building MICHELIN Starred Restaurants”
Guest Lecturer for Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies, Korea
Guest Lecturer for NetKAL, ‘Promoting Culture and Building MICHELIN Starred Restaurants, Korea & US
2018
Guest appearance in David Chang’s NBC Korean Food Primer for the Olympics, USA
YPO, Certificate of Appreciation, Pan Asia Chapter Seoul Event, Korea
2019
Featured guest for ‘Innerview’ by Arirang TV, a 60 minute interview about a professional. (KOREA) Columnist of ‘Life Recipe’ for Marie Claire Korea (Digital Articles 12 Episodes), Korea & US
Social Responsibilities
Since 2011
Sponsor member of The National Art Museum (YFM)
Since 2018
Board member of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Specializing in Food Practice
2011 - 2017
EO (Entrepreneur Organization) Korean Chapter registered member Board Member as Strategic Alliance Chair (2015 - 2017)
2012 - 2014
(KOREA) Vice President of Korean National Ballet Sponsor Group
2013 - 2014
(KOREA) Sponsor member for Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
Brand Ambassador
2014
Ambassador of Veuve Clicquot as Leadership for women in business
2016
Ambassador of Bobby Brown cosmetic brand for women in business
2018
Nominated for 2019 Veuve Clicquot Business Women Award
2019
Panel Judge for 2020 Veuve Clicquot Business Women Award
Certification
2005
(THAILAND) University of St Gallen 5-day Executive MBA program, Credit Suisse
2005 / 2006
(JAPAN) Culinary and Food Styling Certificate at L’ecole Amy’s
2006
(KOREA) The Avatar Self-Empowerment 9-day Workshop
(SWITZERLAND) Leadership 4-day Program, Credit Suisse
2008
(KOREA) The World Knowledge Forum and INSEAD Mini-MBA Course, Mae-Il Newspaper
(SWITZERLAND) Entrepreneurship 3-day Program, Credit Suisse
2009
(MOROCCO) African Economy 5-day Program, Credit Suisse
2017
(UK) Foundations in Decorative Arts and Design at Sotheby's Institute of Art
KwangJuYo F&B Partner List
