Genesis BBQ provides $30,000 scholarship to CIA students

Genesis BBQ provided a $30,000 scholarship to students at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in the United States with a goal to nurture talent, the franchise fried chicken operator said Monday.

Chairman Yoon Hong-geun of Genesis BBQ Group, right, visits CIA New York Campus and presents a $30,000 scholarship for nurturing future leaders in the food service industry to CMS Mark Erickson. [GENESIS BBQ]

Genesis BBQ provided a $30,000 scholarship to students at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in the United States with a goal to nurture talent, the franchise fried chicken operator said Monday.

Company chairman Yoon Hong-geun visited CIA's flagship campus in New York on Thursday and met with CIA Certified Master Chef Mark Erickson to discuss ways to recruit exceptional students to join Genesis BBQ's U.S. branch and provide scholarship support. CIA ranks among the top three culinary schools globally, alongside France's Le Cordon Bleu and Japan's Tsuji Culinary Institute.

Genesis BBQ signed a partnership with CIA in November 2021 to actively nurture global culinary talent. As a part of this ongoing collaboration, Genesis BBQ has been awarding annual scholarships of $10,000 to Korean exchange students and Korean diaspora students studying at CIA.

In August 2022, Genesis BBQ hosted a chicken burger cooking competition at CIA's New York campus, with the winner receiving a $5,000 prize. The goal was to make chicken burgers more popular in the U.S. burger market, which is mainly focused on beef patties, as well as raising awareness and interest in Korean-style fried chicken.

"My visit to CIA allowed me to gain firsthand insights into the areas of support and development required for nurturing future leaders and talents in the food service industry," Yoon said. "I hope that CIA, as a prestigious culinary institution, produces many exceptional individuals and that they grow together with Genesis BBQ Group as leaders in the global food service industry."

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]