SOO AHN

Adalina Italian

Soo Ahn believes that food, at its best, is a culinary adventure. He takes his experiences in Texas, Korea, California, Washington D.C., and Illinois, as well as in kitchens such as the Ritz Carlton, Grace, El Ideas, Roosters, and Band of Bohemia to push boundaries in his cooking and offer unique concepts for guests to indulge in. In his last endeavor where he gained a Michelin Star as the executive chef at Band of Bohemia, he mastered reverse-engineering food menus, making his dishes shine and sing while complementing the craft beers brewed in-house.  
 
Soo takes his drive and competitiveness that he has learned from his first career as a professional golfer and translates that into the kitchen to continuously improve. After taking a break from golf, while bartending, he realized the joy people received through food, wanted to be a part of it, and hasn’t looked back since. He graduated with a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University and has worked his way around Chicago’s fine dining scene. Soo finds inspiration through his grandmother’s traditional recipes in addition to childhood snacks, fast food chains, and experiences from his travels. 

Now as the Executive Chef at Adalina, he is exploring the flavors, depth, and creativity of Italian cuisine. Within a year of being open, Adalina has been recognized multiple times by Eater Chicago for Best Dish, Best Meal, and is on the 38 Essential Restaurants in Chicago. Adalina was also nominated as the Best New Restaurant of the Year by the Jean Banchet Awards. Soo and the Adalina team are bringing to Chicago’s Gold Coast Italian favorites reimagined using unique flavors and techniques for an experience to remember.