In this blog post, we’ll introduce a candidate from Jeonju, covering how they developed an interest in cooking, their study plan, and their goals after graduation.
Reasons for Applying (Why I Chose This Major)
When I was in elementary school, I participated in a children’s local cuisine cooking camp hosted by the Jeonbuk Local Food Development Research Association. There, I developed “Ketchup Bibimbap,” which used ketchup instead of gochujang for flavor, and received praise from the judges. Using my creative imagination, I transformed bibimbap—a local dish representing Jeonju, my hometown and the “Land of Flavor”—into a completely different delicacy. This camp instilled in me a sense of pride and confidence in local cuisine and helped me realize the joy of creating food. Through promotional activities to raise awareness of Jeonju’s local cuisine and my experiences at international cooking competitions, I naturally began to dream of becoming a chef. I enrolled in a specialized high school to study cooking more professionally, and now I am applying to receive a more systematic education.
Academic Plan and Goals
Until now, I have been practicing hands-on simply because I love cooking, but I now intend to systematically build my theoretical knowledge of cooking under the guidance of experienced professionals. I will read cooking magazines to acquire broad knowledge and background information not covered in the curriculum, and I will strive to develop basic foreign language communication skills so that I can quickly adapt to global trends. Additionally, I plan to participate in an overseas internship program to experience the fast-paced, hands-on environment of a world-renowned hotel. Through this experience, I hope to reflect on my previously narrow perspective and return with a clear, solid plan for my future.
Post-Graduation Plans
My dream is to become a world-class chef. After graduation, I plan to study abroad at the CIA (The Culinary Institute of America), a renowned culinary school in the United States, and I aspire to become a world-class chef who can create a restaurant worthy of being featured in prestigious international restaurant guides. Cooking embodies the “beauty and joy of creation.” I find the process of mixing different ingredients and watching them transform into a single masterpiece to be magical, and the fact that I can create delicious food with my own hands to bring happiness to others is one of the charms of cooking. Although it is physically demanding—requiring me to stand all day and move constantly—I believe cooking is a job where the fun and fulfillment are as great as the hardship. In the future, I want to fulfill my dream and become a chef.
Self-Introduction (Philosophy of Life, Values)
I always hold the belief that success comes from winning the battle against oneself. I first became interested in cooking in my third year of middle school, and after seeing Korean chefs win awards at international cooking competitions, I thought, “I want to give it a try too.” I asked my parents to send me to a cooking school, but they didn’t agree at first. However, I didn’t give up; instead, I saved my allowance to buy cookbooks and studied on my own. My passion grew so strong that by the time I entered high school, my parents were encouraging me to pursue my culinary studies to my heart’s content.
After school, I would go to the culinary academy and practice for at least three to four hours every day. There were times when I felt regret, wondering, “Why am I the only one struggling like this while my friends are studying comfortably?” However, believing that taking a path less traveled would lead to a better future, I overcame my inner struggles and achieved excellent results in cooking competitions. I believe the thrill of completing a dish after dozens of failures is the true appeal of cooking, and I want to carry this passion forward to become a chef who represents Korea.
