The Consortium welcomes Chef Areum Yoon, one of the most influential figures in contemporary Korean cuisine, to the House of Mediterraneo
Milan, July 9, 2026 – From talent shows to professional kitchens, and on to the international experiences that have made her one of the most recognizable faces in contemporary Korean gastronomy today. Chef Areum Yoon will be the guest of honor for the third stop of Chef Residency 2026, the project promoted by the Prosecco DOC Protection Consortium in collaboration with Tuorlo, which brings some of the most innovative voices on the international gastronomic scene to Italy.
Before the start of her activities in Milan, Chef Areum Yoon will visit Prosecco DOC Dreamland, where she will have the opportunity to immerse herself in the region through a journey of discovery that combines culture, traditions, and gastronomy. The experience will also be enriched by visits to several Prosecco DOC producers, allowing her to gain a deeper, firsthand understanding of the appellation’s history, heritage, and production excellence. At the end of this first phase, she will travel to Milan to officially kick off the Chef Residency program.
The residency dedicated to South Korea will take place from July 12 to 15 at House of Mediterraneo, where the training masterclasses and all program activities will be held. Led by Chef Areum Yoon, participants will take part in an intensive program of training and exchange, delving into Korean techniques, ingredients, and culinary culture through masterclasses, hands-on activities, and opportunities for direct dialogue. This experience is designed to foster dialogue between different culinary cultures, in the spirit of conviviality and the “Made in Italy” values promoted by Prosecco DOC, and will culminate in a closing dinner on July 15.
After winning over audiences with her appearance on the first season of MasterChef Korea in 2012, Areum Yoon has built a career over the years that combines culinary research and communication, becoming a leading figure thanks in part to her appearance on Netflix Culinary Class Wars Season 2 in 2025 and her recent appearance on MasterChef Asia in 2026. This journey has made her one of the most recognizable figures in modern Korean cuisine and an authoritative voice in promoting her country’s culinary culture.
Creative direction for the residency will once again be entrusted to the culinary studio Tavolata, which will guide the design of the gastronomic experience by highlighting the convergence of different cultures and culinary traditions. The final dinner will be inspired by Korean culture, helping to create an immersive experience that will take guests on a journey through the country’s flavors, aesthetics, and traditions.
The residency and the final dinner will take place at House of Mediterraneo, which serves as the operational and cultural hub of the Prosecco DOC Chef Residency project, reaffirming its role as a place for training, exchange, and cross-pollination among professionals from around the world.
Maestro Martino Food Academy (MMFA) is the training initiative of the Maestro Martino Association—of which Prosecco DOC is the Official Sparkling Wine—chaired by Chef Carlo Cracco. It was founded with the goal of training the next generation of culinary professionals. Through an educational model that integrates theoretical training, hands-on experience, and collaboration with companies, schools, and institutions in the sector, MMFA guides young talents through programs in culinary arts, pastry arts, front-of-house service, and management. With its training restaurants and professional workshops, the Academy serves as a benchmark for excellence in training within the Italian gastronomic landscape, promoting innovation, social inclusion, and a concrete link between education and the professional world. Representing the Maestro Martino Association will be Chef William Caputo, who will work alongside Chef Areum Yoon, contributing to the exchange of expertise that characterizes the entire project.
Following Brazil and South Korea, Chef Residency will continue to build a bridge between some of the most fascinating contemporary culinary cultures. More than just a calendar of events, the project serves as a forum for exchange where established chefs and the next generation share experiences, techniques, and culinary languages, fostering a dialogue that transcends geographical boundaries.
Prosecco DOC accompanies this journey as an embodiment of a spirit of conviviality capable of uniting regions, people, and traditions. The project will continue with the residency dedicated to Canada, scheduled for September 24–29, featuring educational masterclasses and a closing dinner on September 29, and with the residency dedicated to the United Kingdom, scheduled for October 7–12, featuring masterclasses and a closing dinner on October 12. Both will take place at House of Mediterraneo in Milan.
