Who is chef Judy Joo from Cooking With The Stars?

JUDY JOO is a renowned Korean-American master chef who has made a name for herself across the UK and US

The food expert is now back on the book in ITV's Cooking With The Stars.

Who is judy Joo?

Judy Joo has made herself well known in the culinary world and her expertise in the industry spans the globe, having been the face of an array of cooking channels.

Following a career on Wall Street, she attended the French Culinary Institute in New York, then launched her cooking career with Gordon Ramsay in London.

In 2011, Judy became the first Executive Chef for The Playboy Club in London, and became a regular face on TV starring in Iron Chef UK and securing the title IronChef UK, becoming the only female Iron Chef in the UK and the second female Iron Chef worldwide.

Tangent to that success, Judy then became a resident judge on Iron Chef America which led to her own shows: Judy Joo’s Return to Korea and two seasons of Korean Food Made Simple. 

She also regularly appeared on Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate, The Best Thing I Ever Made, and Guy’s Grocery Games.

To top it off, she now owns her own restaurant in London called Seoul Bird.

Is judy Joo married?

Joo is not married or thought be in any current serious relationship, although the 47-year-old is believed to have been engaged in the past.

Before grabbing noticeable fame, Joo worked as an analyst at Morgan Stanley, where she met her ex-fiance who was a former co-worker at the same bank.

It is believed the pair ended their marriage plans in a joint decision.

The professional chef does not have any children and as far as her private life is concerned, remains attentively focused on her chef career.  

What restaurants has Judy Joo worked at?

Joo is also no stranger to the London restaurant scene, having ditched her US banking career to work in several of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants.

Those restaurants include: Maze, Petrus, Gordon Ramsay Restaurant, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's and The Boxwood Café before opening her very own restaurant in 2015 'Jinjuu' in London, Soho.

In August 2019, Joo left Jinjuu to create Seoul Bird: Korean-style, double-fried chicken in Westfield shopping centre in Shepherd’s Bush.

Some highlights of the menu are:

• Korean Fried Chicks with Asian slaw of red cabbage, daikon, onion and carrot, tossed in a citrus soy dressing
• Korean Flame Grilled Chicks, marinated in soy, sesame and Korean spices before being char-grilled
• Signature Seoul Burger: a freshly toasted bun with Korean fried chicken in a soy and gochujang glaze topped with kewpie mayo, red onion and iceberg lettuce
• Bibimbap bowls
• Side dishes, such as truffled loaded Seaweed Tater Tots, Kimchi Mac & Cheese, or Korean Fried Cauliflower in a gochujang and soy glaze

Drinks are also heavily Korean influenced, with the following offerings (alongside Camden Pale Ale):

• Jinro Chamisul Fresh Soju (Korea’s favourite spirit)
• Soju Iced Tea
• Korean Iced Teas in three flavours: yuzu, sweet plum, and green