The Temple Food Fam Tour with Eric Ripert in 2015

Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin's executive chef), one of the most influential chefs in the US, has fallen in love with Korean temple food. From August 4-12, 2015, Chef Ripert explored the world of Korean temple food. He learned about, made, and tasted Korean temple foods, under the guidance of Ven. Jung-gwan (Baekyangsa Temple), Ven. Do-un (Jingwansa Temple), and Ven. Wonsang (Tongdosa Temple) – the three professionals in this field. Chef Ripert was born in France and is a Buddhist. He won the award “Top Chef in New York City" in 1998 and was named “Outstanding Chef of the Year" in 2003 by the James Beard Foundation; he has become a widely known public figure who has received three stars from the Michelin Guide.

Having encountered temple food by chance when he visited Korea in 2013, Chef Ripert made a clip dedicated to Korean temple food in his TV show, “AVEC ERIC”, through which the value and taste of Korean temple food have been shared with audiences in 40 different countries around the world. He complimented temple food by saying, “Anyone can make tasty food, but temple food is the only one in the world that is obviously delicious but not addictive at all. The food is a practice itself towards enlightenment that helps nourish one’s body and soul and gives people a healthy and harmonious life in nature.”