(LEAD) S. Korean chefs present local cuisine for 2018 PyeongChang Olympics

(ATTN: UPDATES with chef's comments in sixth para; ADDS photo)
By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean chefs on Wednesday showcased a variety of Korean dishes made with local ingredients from Gangwon Province, the venue for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, with a subtle twist to capture the taste buds of athletes and visitors to the upcoming event.

Three venues in Gangwon Province -- PyeongChang, Gangneung and Jeongseon -- each developed 10 dishes with local ingredients as part of efforts to globalize Korean cuisine during the international sports event.

Gangwon Province is located south of the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, having several mountains and the sea on the east coast. The eastern province is abundant in potatoes and corn, as well as freshwater fish and seafood.

In the runup to the official launch of the "Special 30 Dishes," Gangwon Province held a sampling lunch at the K-Style Hub in Seoul, involving about 50 officials from the tourism ministry, Gangwon Province and journalists at home and from abroad.

Edward Kwon, a celebrity chef who has made it his mission to globalize Korean cuisine, showcased a mixed rice salad as a part of the menu for PyeongChang.

"A good dish should be delicious, look good and tell a good story of its origin," said Kwon, the former head chef of the Burj al-Arab Hotel in Dubai. "We tried to develop dishes that can be enjoyed by both locals and foreigners. I hope more dishes from Gangwon Province become widely known after the PyeongChang Olympics."

Kim Su-jin, the food director of the 2007 Korean film "Le Grande Chef" (Shikgaek), presented boiled pork slices ("bossam") with spicy bonnet bellflowers ("deodeok").

Kim Ho-seok, a former chef and culinary professor of Catholic Kwandong University in Gangneung, cooked chicken ginseng soup ("samgyetang") with potato dough ("ongsimi").

The three regions have provided recipe classes involving 428 local restaurateurs, and some restaurants will begin selling the menus as early as September, according to officials.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will consult with the Olympics organizing committee to serve the dishes for athletes during the winter games.

"We will provide incentives to restaurants that want to serve the 'Special 30 Dishes' to encourage more athletes and visitors of PyeongChang Olympics to enjoy the local cuisine," Vice Culture Minister Kim Jong said during the event.

ejkim@yna.co.kr
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