Olivia Lee

Chef and food author Olivia Lee has built a career defined by international excellence, yet her heart remains anchored in the cherished traditions of her Korean upbringing. Her passion for gastronomy was kindled by the ardent memories of a household where good home-cooked meals were always at the centre of family life. As Lee recounts, a simple, early attempt at making soup was met with such warmth by her family that it immediately confirmed her path: cooking was her calling.

This deeply personal passion quickly translated into a remarkable professional trajectory. Lee shattered glass ceilings early on, becoming the first South Korean female chef to work in the hallowed kitchens of Dubai’s Burj Al Arab. Her formidable culinary resumé also includes a prestigious stint at Le Meurice in Paris, under famed chef Yannick Alléno, proving her mastery of global fine dining. Adding to her credentials, she became the youngest adjunct professor appointed at Baekseok Culture University at the age of 26.

In 2021, Lee channelled her expertise and commitment to quality into a new endeavour: SoGoodK. This online purveyor of premium Korean lifestyle products was established to help artisanal Korean brands enter new international markets. True to her philosophy, the brand holds quality at its heart, curating a diverse selection of food, skincare, wellness, and beauty products. SoGoodK’s mission is to offer a noteworthy shopping experience that enhances the quality of life for its customers.

Today, as part of a formidable power couple in the F&B industry—married to executive chef Sebastien Lepinoy of three-Michelin-starred Les Amis—Lee continues to be an authoritative voice, ensuring that the best of Korea’s authentic, artisanal products are celebrated on the global stage.