S3 EP 1: A Conversation with Simon Kim of Gracious Hospitality

Simon Kim is the Founder and CEO of Gracious Hospitality Management, the group behind acclaimed concepts including COTE Korean Steakhouse, COQODAQ, and Undercote. Born in South Korea and raised in New York, Kim is best known for COTE, the first Korean steakhouse in the United States to receive a Michelin Guide star, which it has retained since 2018. Since launching COTE, he has expanded the concept to Miami, Singapore, and Las Vegas, followed by COQODAQ, a New York restaurant dedicated to Korean fried chicken. Most recently, Kim opened a new multi-concept dining destination at 550 Madison Avenue in New York, marking his most ambitious project yet.

In this episode, Simon joins Steve from the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen for a conversation about his early start in hospitality working at a hotel in Las Vegas, discovering his passion for steakhouses, the creative energy and excitement that comes with bringing new concepts to life, and what continues to drive him as he builds the future of hospitality.

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