Who is Judy Joo?
Judy Joo is a Korean-American chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality. She is best known for her modern take on Korean cuisine and her role as a judge on Food Network’s House of Knives. With a background in engineering and finance, Joo transitioned into the culinary world, where she has built a successful career as a chef and TV personality.
Biography
Born in Summit, New Jersey, Judy Joo has made a name for herself in the culinary industry. She has worked in prestigious restaurants, hosted TV shows, and opened her own restaurant brand. Joo’s passion for food and Korean cuisine has led her to become one of the most recognized chefs in the industry.
Judy Joo Profile Summary
- Full Name: Judy Joo
- Date of Birth: December 9, 1974
- Age: 50 years (as of 2024)
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Korean-American
- Profession: Chef, Restaurateur, TV Personality, Author
- Ex-Husband: David Allen
- Education: Columbia University (Mechanical Engineering)
- Notable TV Shows: Iron Chef UK, Korean Food Made Simple, House of Knives
- Net Worth: Estimated $5 million
- Instagram: @judyjoochef
Judy Joo Age and Birthday
Joo was born on December 9, 1974, making her 50 years old in 2024. She celebrates her birthday on the 9th of December each year.
Judy Joo Parents
Joo’s father, Dr. Eui Don Joo, was born in Chŏngju, North Korea. He fled to South Korea as a child before later moving to the United States, where he worked as a psychiatrist. Her mother, Young Nim Park, was originally from Icheon, South Korea, and pursued a master’s degree in chemistry at Ohio State University.
Nationality
Chef Joo is American.
Ethnicity
Judy is of Korean descent, with both parents being originally from Korea.
Judy Joo Height
Joo stands at a height of around 5 feet and 3 inches.
Judy Joo Husband
As of now, Judy is not married. She was previously married to now ex-husband, David Allen, whom she met while working at Morgan Stanley. The couple later divorced. Currently, there is no public information indicating that she is in a serious relationship.
Children
There is no public information about Judy Joo having children.
Education
Joo attended Kent Place School in Summit, New Jersey. She later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. Her passion for food led her to enroll at The French Culinary Institute, where she trained to become a chef.
Career
Before becoming a chef, Judy Joo worked as an engineer and financier at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. However, she eventually pursued her love for cooking and trained at The French Culinary Institute. She went on to work at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants and gained experience in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens.
In 2015, Chef Joo launched her first restaurant, Jinjuu, a modern Korean eatery in London. She later expanded the brand before parting ways with it in 2019. In 2020, she launched Seoul Bird, a restaurant specializing in Korean fried chicken, with locations in London, Las Vegas, and New York.
TV Shows
Judy Joo has had an extensive television career, including:
- Host of Korean Food Made Simple (Food Network)
- Iron Chef UK (Iron Chef)
- Judge on The Next Iron Chef
- Judge on Kitchen Inferno
- House of Knives (2024 – Present)
House of Knives
In House of Knives, Chef Judy Joo serves as a judge alongside Marcus Samuelsson, with Scott Conant hosting the series. The show features six esteemed chefs competing in a high-stakes culinary arena, where they must showcase their skills and strategic acumen to impress the judges and avoid elimination. House of Knives premieres on March 18, 2025, at 8 p.m. on Food Network and will be available for streaming the following day on Max.
Judy Joo Net Worth
Judy has an estimated net worth of around $5 million. She is a chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality. Currently, she is serving as a judge on Food Network’s House of Knives.
Chef Joo shares updates about her culinary projects, restaurants, and personal life on Instagram. You can follow her at @judyjoochef.