Ki Soon-do

Ki Soon-do is South Korea’s sole grand master of traditional aged soy sauce and a 10th-generation custodian of her family’s sauce-making legacy. At 75, she has dedicated her life to preserving the art of fermentation that has been passed down for 370 years. Her meticulous methods, which involve the careful aging of soy sauce and the use of traditional ingredients and rituals, have gained international recognition, including the selection of her ancient 'seed sauce' to season beef for a state banquet attended by former US President Donald Trump. Ki's work has been honored by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, reflecting her commitment to safeguarding a vital aspect of Korean culinary heritage amidst modern challenges.