In Korean, omija means five flavors, a symphony of balance and focus.
At this year’s 14th annual Star Chefs International Chefs Congress, Executive Chef Eunji Lee of Jungsik in New York City brought the concept of omija to life.
It’s during ICC that our team collaborates with Steelite International to host the Art of Presentation pop up lunch; a series of three-course tasting menus created by chefs from all over the country who have previously been awarded the Star Chefs Rising Stars Art of Presentation Award.
Chef Lee’s three-course dessert menu was rich with omija, heart, and soul. Chef plated exclusively on Earth by Robert Gordon Australia (RGA). This dinnerware range was the natural choice for her tasting menu.
Designed for both the heavy volume of hospitality and elevated plating, Earth is inspired by the elements. Chef Lee selected a full range of vessels from the LMT Catalog to showcase this beautiful and durable collection designed for hospitality.
“When you first touch these plates, you feel the weight of them,” said Chung. “You get that sense of tradition which is what we’re trying to bring together [at Jungsik]. We’re modern Korean but we still feel traditional in our own way. It’s a great marriage.”
It’s safe to say that no designer we work with has their finger on the pulse of the art of presentation quite like Sam Gordon, CEO and third generation owner of RGA.
Adelaide is RGA’s most recent stateside launch in partnership with Steelite – and we’re excited to bring a new hue into the hands of chefs nationwide: Evergreen will be the warm wintry green we’ve all been waiting for, coming to the United States in January 2020. Our procurement team worked alongside Gordon’s team and Steelite to develop this new foliage-forward glaze color. Aptly named for the robust, pine-needled trees that never shed their leaves, we’re confident this range extension to Steelite’s catalog hues (Birch, Juniper and Hickory) will also stand the test of seasonal menus and time.
After all, putting the fun in functionality is a brand cornerstone of our procurement efforts. Setting some of RGA’s more whimsical pieces alongside this factory’s workhorse dinnerware collections makes perfect sense.
Lee’s final tasting was a cheeky pastry presentation reminiscent of a Warhol painting titled ‘baby banana’. The composition was fashioned on the Earth natural dinner plate, showcasing Earth to be the canvas that blurs the lines between food and art.
“I love art and I love sweets, but we cannot eat art,” said Lee, who also took home second place at the Valrhona C3 pastry competition this year. “Pastry has a strong relationship with art.”
Pastry, art and tabletop sourcing have one thing in common as well, and that’s balance. We’re proud to bring omija to your table today and every day.
For product and consulting inquiries, send us a note at LMT@singerequipment.com or visit our website at www.lmtprovisions.com.
