"Top Chef" Contestant and Award-Winning Chef Angelo Sosa Celebrates Korean Cuisine with Food Influentials in NYC

NEW YORK, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Chef Angelo Sosa, the two-time contestant on Bravo TV's hit series "Top Chef," hosted a celebration of Korean cuisine last night at his recently opened New York City restaurant, Social Eatz. In partnership with the Korean Food Foundation (KFF), Chef Sosa created a special food and cocktail menu that provided partygoers with a contemporary spin on classic Korean fare.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110721/NY39303 )

The guest list, which included other notable NYC chefs such as Hooni Kim of Danji and Ja-bun Kwak of Kang Suh, dignitaries from the KFF, distinguished members of the food media and local NYC Facebook and Twitter fans, reveled in Chef Sosa's menu of Korean inspired dishes, including his Bibimbap Burger, recently awarded Best Burger in America by Eater.com. And as a special surprise for the party, Chef Sosa held a live cooking demonstration of one of the specially created dishes, Chilled Buckwheat Noodles with Gochujang Tea.

"Mainstream New York - and much of the rest of America - is just beginning to appreciate fully the delicious complexities of Korean cuisine - and I hope to continue to follow this philosophy of Korean-infused contemporary cuisine in future business endeavors," said Chef Sosa. "Much of my menu at Social Eatz is inspired by the flavors, ingredients and traditions of Korean cuisine, including my Bibimbap Burger, Bulgogi Burger, Korean Beef Tacos and Smoked Ribs with Gochujang, all of which account for more than 1/3 of our sales."

Other high profile chefs are also a part of this influential wave of Korean cuisine stateside. Chef Sosa's mentor Jean-Georges Vongerichten, along with his wife Marja, just launched a new PBS series called "The Kimchi Chronicles," which explores the customs of Korean food culture. Chef Vongerichten also offers Gochujang Butter Steak and Kimchi Hotdogs on menus at his restaurants.

The event gave the KFF and its parent organization, South Korea's Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the opportunity to acknowledge key members of the food community for their efforts in helping promote Korean cuisine in NYC, including Chef Vongerichten, Chef Hooni Kim, Kelly Choi and others.

About Korean Food Foundation

The Korean Food Foundation seeks to promote authentic and contemporary Korean cuisine around the world by highlighting Korean cuisine as one of Asia's best-kept secrets.

SOURCE Korean Food Foundation