K-Food Academy Launches New Season with Steyns Culinary School

Post Date26.02.2026

On Tuesday, 24 February, the Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa opened this year’s K-Food Academy in partnership with Steyns Culinary School, welcoming students into the kitchen for an introduction to two of Korea’s most iconic dishes — bibimbap and gimbap.

The session offered an in-depth look at the philosophy behind Korean cuisine, where balance, harmony, and visual presentation play an essential role. Through the preparation of a wide variety of seasoned vegetables, rice, and complementary ingredients, students explored how colour, texture, and nutrition are carefully combined to create meals that are both aesthetically refined and nutritionally balanced.

Beyond learning new recipes, the programme provided future culinary professionals with a broader understanding of Korean food culture and its emphasis on thoughtful preparation and shared dining. Working hands-on with the ingredients, participants experienced how individual components come together to form dishes that reflect the values of balance and cohesion at the heart of hansik.

The opening session marked the beginning of another year of culinary exchange between Korea and South Africa, offering aspiring chefs an opportunity to engage with Korean flavours and reinterpret them within their own culinary practice.