David Shim, a native of Korea, was raised in a cooking environment as he grew up watching his grandmother operate a restaurant in Korea. Chef Shim discovered his culinary identity working at Korean restaurants when he was in high school. He was mesmerized by the fast pace of the restaurant business and decided to pursue a full-time culinary career.
After graduating from Culinary Institute of America, Chef Shim worked at prestigious restaurants such as Gramercy Tavern, Veritas, and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon. When Chef Shim was working at Veritas, he learned that the Executive Chef was highlighting the authentic flavors of his native country and was inspired to do the same for Korean cuisine.
In March 2012, Chef Shim became the Executive Chef of Kristalbelli, New York City’s first upscale Korean restaurant. With Chef Shim’s culinary background and experience, he strives to serve the highest-quality food to meet the demands of sophisticated New York City standards. His goal is to introduce the complex and authentic flavors of Korean cuisine and to further globalize Korean food and culture. He and the Kristalbelli team are committed to using only the freshest ingredients to produce the finest and healthiest Korean cuisine.
Co-Sponsor:
James Beard Foundation Greens (foodies under 40) events are geared towards NYC-area foodies ages 21 to 39. The James Beard Foundation is a national not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in New York City dedicated to celebrating, nurturing, and preserving America's diverse culinary heritage and future. Learn more at jamesbeard.org
Sponsored by
Kristalbelli, a stylish and sophisticated restaurant and lounge, opened its doors this past spring and has already received rave reviews from customers and media alike including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NY Magazine "Grub Street", Time Out and Zagat, to name a few. Kristalbelli uses only the finest ingredients to showcase the full range of authentic and robust Korean flavors and also to spotlight the delicate aspects of Korean cooking. The restaurant strives to share an experience that is modern, delicious, and unique. As a special feature of Kristalbelli, owner J.Y. Park personally designed the crystal belly-shaped grill, which is on the center of each table. These special grills offer the best of Korean grilling without any of the smoke, so the experience will always be tasty and clean. Kristalbelli also features a second floor lounge, Juga, with its own menu of small bites and signature cocktails. The chic and sexy lounge is perfect for after-work drinks or an evening out with friends. Learn more at Kristalbelli’s Web site or on Facebook.
