Hwang Hye-seong facts for kids
Hwang Hye-seong (born July 5, 1920 – died December 14, 2006) was a famous professor and researcher. She dedicated her life to studying and preserving Korean royal court cuisine. This is the special food once prepared for the kings and queens of Korea.
After studying in Japan, she learned these ancient cooking secrets from Han Hui-sun. Han Hui-sun was the very last kitchen court lady who cooked for the royal family. Hwang Hye-seong taught at several universities, including Sookmyung Women's University and Sungkyunkwan University.
In 1986, she was recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Korea. This means her knowledge of royal cuisine was considered a valuable national treasure. She also received important awards for helping to share and update Korean royal court cuisine for modern times. Hwang Hye-seong was truly a master of this special cooking tradition.
Her Life and Journey
Hwang Hye-seong was born in 1920 in Cheonan, a city in Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. She went to school in Japan. There, she studied Japanese cooking and Nutrition at a special seminary for young ladies.
In 1941, she became an assistant professor at Sookmyung Women's University. She started teaching about nutrition. At the same time, she began visiting Han Hui-sun. Han Hui-sun lived in Changdeokgung Palace. She was the last kitchen court lady from the Joseon Dynasty. For 30 years, Hwang Hye-seong learned all about Korean royal court cuisine from Han Hui-sun.
Sharing Royal Cuisine with the World
In 1972, Hwang Hye-seong became a technical expert for cultural properties. She carefully measured ingredients and organized the recipes for Korean royal court cuisine. She made sure these traditional cooking methods were written down clearly.
As a professor, she worked hard to make the study of Korean royal court cuisine a respected academic field. In 1971, she started the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine in Seoul. This institute helped to teach and spread knowledge about this unique food culture.
Hwang Hye-seong also traveled to many countries. She showed off Korean royal court cuisine in places like America, Japan, France, and the Philippines. She helped people around the world learn about Korea's amazing food traditions.
Many people in South Korea knew Hwang Hye-seong. She often shared her knowledge of royal cuisine through TV and other media. She had one son and three daughters. All of them also work with Korean royal court cuisine. Her oldest daughter, Han Bok-ryeo, is now the director of the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine. She is recognized as a Third Generation Korean Royal Court Cuisine Artisan.
Hwang Hye-seong passed away peacefully on December 14, 2006, at the age of 86. Her legacy continues through her family and the institute she founded.
