Chef Hoon Rhee Announced As New Executive Chef

Chef Hoon Rhee. Photo by Sarah DiCiccio.

Important: By downloading this image, you are agreeing to the following permissions: Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for purposes of publicity for the duration of an exhibition at the PMA. The Museum grants permission to use images only to the extent of its ownership rights relating to those images--the responsibility for any additional permissions remains solely with the party reproducing the images. In addition, the images must be accompanied by the credit line and any copyright information as it appears above, and the party reproducing the images must not distort or mutilate the images.
Chef Hoon Rhee. Photo by Sarah DiCiccio.

Important: By downloading this image, you are agreeing to the following permissions: Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for purposes of publicity for the duration of an exhibition at the PMA. The Museum grants permission to use images only to the extent of its ownership rights relating to those images--the responsibility for any additional permissions remains solely with the party reproducing the images. In addition, the images must be accompanied by the credit line and any copyright information as it appears above, and the party reproducing the images must not distort or mutilate the images.
Photo by Sarah DiCiccio.

Important: By downloading this image, you are agreeing to the following permissions: Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for purposes of publicity for the duration of an exhibition at the PMA. The Museum grants permission to use images only to the extent of its ownership rights relating to those images--the responsibility for any additional permissions remains solely with the party reproducing the images. In addition, the images must be accompanied by the credit line and any copyright information as it appears above, and the party reproducing the images must not distort or mutilate the images.
Photo by Sarah DiCiccio.

Important: By downloading this image, you are agreeing to the following permissions: Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for purposes of publicity for the duration of an exhibition at the PMA. The Museum grants permission to use images only to the extent of its ownership rights relating to those images--the responsibility for any additional permissions remains solely with the party reproducing the images. In addition, the images must be accompanied by the credit line and any copyright information as it appears above, and the party reproducing the images must not distort or mutilate the images.
Photo by Sarah DiCiccio.

Important: By downloading this image, you are agreeing to the following permissions: Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for purposes of publicity for the duration of an exhibition at the PMA. The Museum grants permission to use images only to the extent of its ownership rights relating to those images--the responsibility for any additional permissions remains solely with the party reproducing the images. In addition, the images must be accompanied by the credit line and any copyright information as it appears above, and the party reproducing the images must not distort or mutilate the images.
Photo by Sarah DiCiccio.

Important: By downloading this image, you are agreeing to the following permissions: Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for purposes of publicity for the duration of an exhibition at the PMA. The Museum grants permission to use images only to the extent of its ownership rights relating to those images--the responsibility for any additional permissions remains solely with the party reproducing the images. In addition, the images must be accompanied by the credit line and any copyright information as it appears above, and the party reproducing the images must not distort or mutilate the images.
Photo by Sarah DiCiccio.

Important: By downloading this image, you are agreeing to the following permissions: Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for purposes of publicity for the duration of an exhibition at the PMA. The Museum grants permission to use images only to the extent of its ownership rights relating to those images--the responsibility for any additional permissions remains solely with the party reproducing the images. In addition, the images must be accompanied by the credit line and any copyright information as it appears above, and the party reproducing the images must not distort or mutilate the images.
Photo by Sarah DiCiccio.

Important: By downloading this image, you are agreeing to the following permissions: Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for purposes of publicity for the duration of an exhibition at the PMA. The Museum grants permission to use images only to the extent of its ownership rights relating to those images--the responsibility for any additional permissions remains solely with the party reproducing the images. In addition, the images must be accompanied by the credit line and any copyright information as it appears above, and the party reproducing the images must not distort or mutilate the images.

The distinguished chef will lead the museum’s food and beverage operations, including Stir Restaurant and café offerings

Constellation Culinary Group is proud to announce the appointment of Chef Hoon Rhee, who will take the lead as Executive Chef of the food and beverage operations at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As part of his role, Rhee will manage Stir, the museum’s full-service restaurant, as well as several café spaces and catering for private events.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rhee is a seasoned professional who has worked in both front and back of house positions, including as a line cook, bartender, pastry cook, barista, consultant, and more. Early in his career, Rhee gained valuable experience through an internship at Per Se and later at Narisawa and L’Effervescence in Tokyo. He’s held positions at top restaurants on the East Coast including Daniel, Masa, and The Modern in New York, as well as Lacroix at The Rittenhouse Hotel, Jean Georges at the Four Seasons, and Morimoto in Philadelphia.

“I am thrilled to join the Constellation Culinary team and take on the responsibility of leading the culinary programming at the Philadelphia Museum of Art,” said Rhee. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to deliver a world-class dining experience, with a menu inspired by the art at the museum itself, my upbringing in Philadelphia, and my culinary experience and travels which have helped to shape my cooking style and approach merging Eurocentric flavors and techniques with East Asian and Nordic influences. “

The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers visitors rich and varied globally inspired dining experiences, from upscale locally sourced dishes at Stir to family-friendly options at the Café, to great coffee and artisan pastries at the Espresso Bar and beverages and light bites at the Balcony Café. Rhee will also manage the museum’s Chef-in-Residence program, through which local chefs enjoy a weekend residency in the Café and “take over” the Local & Global station. Guest chefs have included Nana Wilmot, Melissa Fernando, Kiki Aranita, and Nok Suntaranon, among others.

Rhee has already begun to make his mark at Stir, the museum’s premier, full-service restaurant designed by Frank Gehry, where Rhee has refreshed the seasonal locally sourced menu and incorporated ingredients traditionally used in Asian cuisines. New dishes include Sweet Corn Soup (puffed corn and rice, honey brown butter and house Togarashi), Slow Roasted Melon (Sake Crème Fraiche, fig oil, and lemon verbena), Peas (asparagus, haricot verts, strawberries, braised almonds, goat cheese), Peaches (seasonal greens, basil yogurt, roasted celtuce, pickled rhubarb), Zucchini Gnocchi (roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic chives, squash blossom tempura, golden sesame oil), and Roasted Jail Island Salmon (roasted fennel, yuzu date kosho, charred coconut and cauliflower, potato flakes, Houttunyina).

“We’re proud to welcome Chef Hoon Rhee to become an integral part of our team,” noted William B. Petersen, the museum’s Chief Operating Officer. “Visitor experience is a top priority, and we’re confident that Rhee will contribute greatly to a museum visit that includes world class food, art, and architecture all in one.

Rhee holds dual degrees from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and the University of Pennsylvania, holds a Level 1 Sommelier certification, and has working knowledge of Korean and Spanish.

About the Philadelphia Museum of Art

We are Philadelphia’s art museum. A world-renowned collection. A landmark building. A place that welcomes everyone. We bring the arts to life, inspiring visitors—through scholarly study and creative play—to discover the spirit of imagination that lies in everyone. We connect people with the arts in rich and varied ways, making the experience of the museum surprising, lively, and always memorable. We are committed to inviting visitors to see the world—and themselves—anew through the beauty and expressive power of the arts. For additional information, visit press.philamuseum.org or contact the Communications Department of the Philadelphia Museum of Art by e-mail at pressroom@philamuseum.org. The museum is located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 26th Street. For general information, call 215-763-8100

About Constellation Culinary Group

Launched in 2008 and reimagined in 2018, Constellation Culinary Group is dedicated to providing best-in-class dining experiences for one-of-a-kind events, cultural centers, professional settings, restaurants, and cafes. With over nineteen locations in eight cities, including internationally renowned cultural institutions Carnegie Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the New York Botanical Garden, Clark Art Institute, and the Pérez Art Museum Miami, we bring culinary visions to life. We consistently create unforgettable experiences with the help of our skilled and thoughtful people, who believe in Constellation’s company mission and philosophy that good food connects us.

Media Contact:

Liz Mirra

Cashman & Associates

elizabeth@cashmanandassociates.com

732-850-8272 (m)