Alex Kim

Five Sails Restaurant - Vancouver, Canada

Alex Kim is the Culinary Director at Five Sails, a renowned Vancouver restaurant that has been a cornerstone of the city’s culinary scene for over 30 years. With a rich culinary journey that reflects his deep-rooted passion for food, Alex is dedicated to crafting exceptional dining experiences that celebrate local and seasonal ingredients.

Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Kim’s passion was ignited during summers spent on his grandmother’s farm. There, amidst fields of peaches, grapes, and rice, he learned the art of nurturing ingredients. His grandmother’s methods of selecting vegetables and her meticulous fermentation processes laid the foundation for his appreciation of fresh, locally sourced produce. Memories of her beloved pork and kimchi stew remain a cherished part of his inspiration.

After discovering his love for cooking, Kim honed his skills in prestigious kitchens, including Fairmont and Shangri-La. Working alongside chefs from France, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada, he gained invaluable experience that broadened his culinary perspective and infused his cooking with diverse techniques and traditions.

On February 2025, Alex Kim took home the gold medal and claimed the crown as the nation’s foremost chef at the Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa.