Chef Jeong Ji-seon confessed that he has a shrimp allergy.
The broadcast on the 13th of TV CHOSUN's 'Dad and Me' featured Chef Jeong Ji-seon meeting father and son chefs Lu Ching Lai.
On that day, Jeong Ji-seon, while giving advice to Lu Ching Lai's son Yeomin, surprised everyone by saying, "People call me a star chef, but I'm truly a hard worker. I can't eat shrimp because I have an allergy, so I carry allergy medicine with me every day. If I eat shrimp, I get hives. I still do; I always carry the medicine with me."
In fact, 90% of the dim sum on Chef Jeong Ji-seon's restaurant menu contains shrimp. The surprised Yeomin asked, "How do you make shrimp dishes if you have an allergy?" To this, Jeong Ji-seon replied, "I season by the smell. Shrimp can be seasoned by its smell. I've practiced a lot and it has been a result of my hard work."
He further explained, "You can't avoid using shrimp in Chinese cuisine. It's okay to touch it. As long as I don't eat it, it's fine. There are limits to allergy medicine, so I thought of seasoning by the smell. The umami differs based on the ratio of the seasoning. I've studied the scents as I get accustomed to them. There's no other choice. Since I can't not cook because I can't eat shrimp."
In an interview, Yeomin said, "I really found out for the first time. I never thought that there could be a shrimp allergy. It made me reflect back." Lu Ching Lai also expressed that he was unaware, marveling, "The fact that you've overcome it itself is amazing."
[Photo] Captured from the broadcast screen of 'Dad and Me.'
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