Everyone loves dining out but few of us understand the complex lived experience of working in restaurants.
Tune into episode 3 of "We Have Lived," an exclusive hospitality industry podcast series by Not 9 to 5 sharing stories to create meaningful change.
This week host and industry veteran Hassel Aviles, sits down with chef Andrew Lim and Thomas Oh, partners of PERILLA Korean American fare. They discuss the culture of restaurants, representation of Korean culture and heritage through food, closing one podcast and launching a new one, vulnerability & much more!
Thomas Oh’s upbringing was centered around his family restaurant which sprung his passion for food at an early age. Influenced by the chefs he watched and admired on television the decision was made early in his career to contribute to a team at the highest level of dining. Thomas went on to work in service roles with various award-winning restaurants in Chicago and eventually became a Certified Sommelier. His path would cross with old friend, chef Andrew Lim join and decided to partner in the transition of an existing restaurant space in the West Loop of Chicago.
Chef Andrew Lim started his culinary career at a neighborhood eatery in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. Andrew later went out west to the Bay Area of California and opened a pizzeria in Oakland before cooking a season East in Nantucket. Andrew returned home and was part of the opening teams for various restaurants in Downtown Chicago. In 2018, Andrew ventured off independently to open his first business as the owner and operator of City Rock Korean Kitchen with co-owner and brother, Billy Lim located downtown in the Loop.
Soon after, the opportunity for another restaurant presented itself for Andrew and alongside his childhood friend and managing partner, Thomas Oh, they opened the doors to PERILLA Korean American fare in 2019. A vision long dreamt to share Korean culture and cuisine with the city of Chicago. Since its opening the team has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, the James Beard Foundation, and awarded 2 Michelin Bib Gourmands since 2021. Thomas and Andrew are currently consulting and managing several restaurants and set to open PERILLA Korean American steakhouse in 2024. They are also both co-hosts of the “en process” podcast sharing stories of resilience and passion by providing space for inspiring conversations about the restaurant industry and beyond.
To learn more about Not 9 to 5 resources including workplace mental health certification called CNECTed, visit https://not9to5.org/cnecting.
"We Have Lived" is an exclusive 14-episode podcast series recorded in sister cities Chicago, USA and Toronto, Canada produced by Not 9 to 5 with direction from Terms of Service Network.
Credits
Production: Not 9 to 5 Organization
Production partner: Terms of Service
Executive Producer & Host: Hassel Aviles
Creative Director: Justin Arnett-Graham
Video: Rick Hernandez
Sound & Music Marcus Drake
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