Meet Karmas New Executive Chef Paul Choi Karma Asian Food and Fine Wine and Karma Pub in Mundelein

Throughout his seventeen year career, Executive Chef Paul Choi has developed a

multicultural contemporary food sensibility, and he never strays from his commitment

to serving creative dishes made from fresh, high quality ingredients. He began his

career working as a line cook for acclaimed Chef Shawn McClain at Evanston’s

eponymous restaurant, Trio, preparing outstanding contemporary American cuisine.

While he worked at Trio in the evening, during the daytime Choi completed the

rigorous culinary program at Kendall College where he rounded out his skills with a

focus on classical French technique.

After leaving Trio, Choi went to work for award winning Chef Kelly Courtney, working

virtually every station at OKNO restaurant as he prepared contemporary global

cuisine. He then moved to her restaurant MOD where he prepared cutting edge bistro

fare.

Choi was then appointed Sous Chef at Tizi Mellou, a highly regarded Mediterranean

fusion restaurant. In the fall of 2000, Choi was recruited to be the opening Chef de

Cuisine for Bistro Marbuzet, a casual French Restaurant in Forest Park. Later he

also assumed the same role for Jacks on Halsted, a contemporary American grill, with

the same company.

In 2002, Restaurant Development Group (RDG) had a need for a Corporate Chef for their

Bar Louie concepts as well as the newly developed Red Star Tavern concept. In the

short span of two years, Choi oversaw the opening of 28 restaurants in total.

Wanting to continue to learn and grow, Choi joined Chicago’s renowned Blue Plate

Catering in 2004 to hone his skill in the planning and production of everything from

small, private dinner parties to corporate events of 1000. From there he became the

Chef de Cuisine of Jordan’s Food of Distinction, a high-end catering company in

Chicago.

In 2007, Chef Choi was bitten by the bug to open his own restaurant, Sura, located in

the Lakeview area of Chicago. Although well liked and well-reviewed, Choi’s

Contemporary Korean restaurant could not survive the economic downturn that claimed

many restaurants that opened around this time.

Looking for a change and matching his love for the outdoors, Choi signed on to be the

Chef at Sandy River Lodge in Sandy River, Alaska for the summer fishing season.

Returning to Chicago after the season, Choi rejoined the staff at Jordan’s Food of

Distinction. However his love of Alaska kept pulling on him and in 2010 he returned,

this time to the remote fishing village of Cordova, home of the world famous “Copper

River Salmon,” as the Executive Chef and General Manager of the Reluctant Fisherman

Inn. After three years he returned to Chicago in August of 2012 for family reasons.

Upon his return to Chicago, he accepted the position as Executive Chef at the Chicago

Botanic Gardens in Highland Park. There he developed a reputation for providing

extraordinary cuisine in both their casual restaurant as well as high-end catered

parties for donors and patrons.

In January of 2014, Choi was selected to be the Executive Chef at Karma Asian Food &

Fine Wine. His first task was to retool the menu and incorporate his signature of

style of contemporary, clean flavor profiles. Combining his Asian background with his

classical French technique, he has completely revamped the menu with guest favorites

such as Firecracker Shrimp, Korean BBQ Glazed Ribeye Steak and Sweet Ginger Bread

Pudding.

Choi appreciates the opportunity that “Asian Fusion” gives him to explore the

cuisines of Korea, China and Japan while melding in some subtle American influences.

Focusing on sustainability and quality, Choi strives to procure the freshest and best

local ingredients possible. He relishes the fact that when people enjoy the food

they are eating, it can change their mood and outlook on life. This is a core value

that motivates him to continually challenge himself and his staff to provide the most

memorable dining experience possible.