Katianna Hong Biography – Katianna Hong Wiki
Katianna Hong is a chef based in Los Angeles, California. She is the chef and Owner of Yangban.She is a contestant in the 22nd season of Top Chef : Destination Canada.
Born in Korea and raised in upstate New York, Katianna Hong developed a passion for food that led her to study at the Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park and the UNLV School of Hospitality. These prestigious institutions laid the foundation for her future success in the fine-dining world.
After graduating, Katianna began her professional journey at Melisse, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Santa Monica, California. There, she met her culinary partner and future husband, John Hong. In 2011, she moved to Napa Valley and joined The Restaurant at Meadowood, a three-star Michelin establishment led by Chef Christopher Kostow.
By 2014, she had made history as the first-ever chef de cuisine at The Restaurant at Meadowood and was the only woman in the U.S. holding that position in a three-Michelin-star kitchen. Her exceptional talent earned her the Rising Star Chef title from San Francisco Magazine for redefining fine dining with her creative and nuanced culinary approach.
Katianna continued her rise in the industry, opening The Charter Oak in 2018, Chef Kostow’s second Napa restaurant. Under her leadership, the restaurant:
- Earned a James Beard Award nomination for Best New Restaurant
- Secured a spot on Bon Appétit’s Top 50 Best New Restaurants List
- Named her one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs
In 2019, following the birth of their daughter Alessia, Katianna and John relocated to Southern California to pursue their dream of opening their first solo restaurant project. They launched Yangban, a dynamic eatery that merges their diverse backgrounds, offering a modern, autobiographical take on Korean-American cuisine in an inviting neighborhood setting.
Since opening, Yangban has received widespread acclaim, including:
- Features on 2022’s Best New Restaurant Lists by Bon Appétit, Esquire, and Condé Nast Traveler
- A 2023 James Beard Semi-Finalist nomination for Best New Restaurant
Katianna Hong Age
She was born in Korea and was raised in Clifton Park, New York.
Katianna Hong Top Chef
The Clifton Park native is a contestant in the 22nd season of the reality cooking show Top Chef. The season is called Top Chef:Destination Canada.It premiers on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
She is competing alongside other 14 chefs who are ; Kat Turner, Anna “Anya” El-Wattar, Paula Endara, Tristen Epps, Corwin Hemming, Lana Lagomarsini, Henry Lu, Vincenzo “Vinny” Loseto, Zubair Mohajir, César Murillo, Massimo Piedimonte, Bailey Sullivan,Shuai Wang and Mimi Weissenborn.
The winner of Top Chef season 22 will receive $250,000 furnished by the Saratoga Brand, a feature in Food and Wine magazine, and an appearance at the annual “Food and Wine Classic” in Aspen.
Katianna Hong Husband
She is married to her husband, John Hong. John is not only Katianna’s husband but also her trusted culinary collaborator. The two first crossed paths while working at Melisse, a prestigious two-star Michelin restaurant in Santa Monica, where their shared dedication to fine dining ignited both a personal and professional partnership.
Together, they honed their skills in some of the country’s most celebrated kitchens before taking the leap to open Yangban, their first solo restaurant, in 2019. With a deep appreciation for bold flavors and innovative techniques, John has played an integral role in shaping their restaurant’s success, working alongside Katianna to redefine modern Korean-American cuisine in a way that reflects both their backgrounds and culinary expertise.
Katianna Hong Family
While Katianna and John have built an impressive culinary legacy, their greatest joy comes from their daughter, Alessia, who was born in 2019. Her arrival marked a turning point in their lives, inspiring them to relocate to Southern California to pursue both their dreams and a balanced family life.
Parenthood has added a new layer of purpose to their journey, influencing their approach to work and strengthening their commitment to creating a warm, welcoming space at Yangban.
Despite the demands of the restaurant industry, they remain dedicated to fostering a nurturing home life, ensuring that Alessia grows up surrounded by the same passion for food, culture, and creativity that defines their careers.
Katianna Hong Children
Chef Katianna and her husband John share a daughter, Alessia, who was born in 2019. Her arrival marked a turning point in their lives, inspiring them to relocate to Southern California to pursue both their dreams and a balanced family life.
Katianna Hong Ethnicity
She is of the Asian ethnicity.
Her Instagram handle is @katiannahong.
