Hyegyoung K. Ford
Hyegyoung K. Ford, also known as Holly on social media, is the founder of Beyond Kimchee and author of the cookbook Korean Cooking Favorites. A native Korean, she currently lives in Seoul with her husband and their dog, enjoying life as an empty nester while sharing approachable, authentic Korean recipes inspired by home cooking.
Education:
- Brigham Young University: Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design
Experience:
- Founder of Beyond Kimchee (est. 2010): Started as a personal blog to preserve Korean family recipes, now a trusted resource for Korean and Asian home cooking
- Author of Korean Cooking Favorites (2019): A collection of 75 authentic Korean recipes made approachable for home cooks
- Global culinary background: Lived in the U.S., Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Argentina—bringing a multicultural lens to food and recipe development
- Columnist for The Korea Herald: Wrote “Holly’s Korean Kitchen,” sharing traditional Korean recipes with English-speaking readers
- Published contributor to international food media: Including Singapore Food Magazine, Gluten-Free Magazine, S.Casa, and more
- Over 14 years of experience in recipe development, content creation, and visual storytelling through food
- Read more about Beyond Kimchee here
Expertise:
- Holly’s cooking philosophy centers on making traditional Korean and Asian dishes accessible to the everyday home cook. She’s known for creating clear, reliable recipes that preserve authentic flavors while using ingredients that are easy to find.
- Her deep understanding of regional flavor profiles—shaped by years of hands-on cooking and living across cultures—allows her to recreate beloved dishes with accuracy, heart, and simplicity. Whether it’s a rustic Korean stew or a vibrant Asian stir-fry, Holly brings balance, technique, and cultural respect to every recipe she shares.
More About Hyegyoung (Holly)
- Though she has traveled extensively and lived all over the world, Holly considers herself a homebody at heart. She finds joy in quiet routines, exploring traditional markets, and testing recipes in her kitchen.
- One of her favorite pastimes is discovering hidden restaurants tucked away in back alleys and neighborhoods throughout Seoul and across Korea—often alongside her husband and close friends, simply enjoying good food and good company.
- She’s not one to overshare on social media, but she loves connecting with fellow home cooks on Instagram and Youtube to answer questions and share her latest recipes.
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