#FOOD: CHEFS MYEONGSEOK JEONG AND BRIAN KANG AT “GREAT KITCHEN PARTY” 2026

Two of Toronto’s culinary talents, Chef Myeongseok “MJ” Jeong of MICHELIN Guide-recognized 156 ONEFIVESIX and Chef Brian Kang of No Vacancy, named Canada’s Best New Bar 2026, ranked No. 82 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 extended list and No. 14 on Canada’s 100 Best Bars 2026, will compete at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at The Carlu in Toronto. Part of GCKP’s 20th anniversary celebrations and Canadian Culinary Championship All-Star Invitational, the competition will see both chefs showcase their contemporary interpretations of Korean cuisine on a national culinary stage.
Recognized as North America’s Best Gastronomical Event, Canada’s Great Kitchen Party celebrates Canadian culinary excellence, bringing together leading chefs, winemakers and musicians. This year’s All-Star Invitational spans 10 Canadian cities, with regional winners advancing to the Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa in January 2027.

Jeong and Kang represent a growing movement of chefs incorporating Korean ingredients, techniques and flavours into contemporary Canadian cuisine, reflecting Toronto’s increasingly diverse and internationally recognized culinary landscape.

Chef Myeongseok “MJ” Jeong 156 ONEFIVESIX
Chef MJ Jeong, Head Chef and Partner of 156 ONEFIVESIX, brings his contemporary approach to Korean cuisine to the competition, reflecting his focus on precision, balance and layered flavours.

Before founding 156 ONEFIVESIX, Jeong honed his culinary skills at some of Toronto’s acclaimed restaurants, including Canoe, R&D and Canis, following his culinary training at George Brown College. Drawing on his Korean heritage and experience in contemporary kitchens, Jeong brings together traditional Korean ingredients and European culinary techniques to create a distinctive approach to modern Korean dining. Since reopening in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood in September 2025, the MICHELIN Guide-recognized 156 ONEFIVESIX has continued to establish itself as a destination for refined Korean cuisine, with an emphasis on thoughtful execution, creativity and hospitality.

For the competition, Jeong will collaborate with The Organized Crime Winery, an Ontario winery, bringing together contemporary Korean culinary influences and Canadian winemaking.

Chef Brian Kang No Vacancy
Chef Brian Kang of No Vacancy brings a bold, contemporary approach to Korean cuisine, shaped by his experience at acclaimed restaurants including Banu, Don Alfonso 1890 and DaNico. Drawing on his fine-dining background, Kang reinterprets traditional Korean ingredients and flavour profiles through modern culinary techniques, incorporating Italian influences into his creative approach. His cooking emphasizes the interplay of richness, acidity, texture and umami, creating dishes that balance the depth of Korean flavours with refined, contemporary presentation.

At No Vacancy, Kang’s culinary direction extends beyond conventional bar dining, positioning food as an integral part of the guest experience alongside the venue’s inventive cocktail program. His approach reflects a thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation, showcasing the versatility of Korean ingredients through creative combinations and carefully considered execution.
The restaurant has quickly gained national recognition, earning the title of Canada’s Best New Bar 2026, ranking No. 82 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026 extended list and No. 14 on Canada’s 100 Best Bars 2026 list.

For the competition, Kang will collaborate with The Grange of Prince Edward Winery, bringing his contemporary Korean culinary perspective together with Ontario winemaking.

Celebrating Canadian Culinary Excellence on a National Stage
Marking 20 years of celebrating Canadian food, music and community, this year’s Great Kitchen Party introduces an All-Star Invitational format, with each participating city sending both a regional winner and an appointed Chef of Distinction to the Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa.

In Toronto, eight chefs will compete for the opportunity to join Chef Lorenzo Loseto, the city’s appointed Chef of Distinction and 2014 Canadian Culinary Champion. The national finale will bring together 20 chefs in an East-versus-West culinary showdown.
The Toronto event will feature dishes from competing chefs, Canadian wine pairings and live performances by Jim Cuddy and Steven Page, with Shaun Majumder as emcee. Continuing GCKP’s commitment to community impact, proceeds will support MusiCounts, Spirit North and FoodShare, advancing youth opportunities in music, sport and food security.

Event Details
Event: Canada’s Great Kitchen Party Toronto All-Star Invitational
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Location: The Carlu, 444 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B 2H4
Competing Chefs: Myeongseok “MJ” Jeong, 156 ONEFIVESIX; Brian Kang, No Vacancy
Winery Partners: The Organized Crime Winery; The Grange of Prince Edward Winery
Tickets: greatkitchenparty.com


About 156 ONEFIVESIX
156 ONEFIVESIX is a Korean fusion restaurant located at 1100 Queen St. West in Toronto. Rooted in Korean tradition and elevated through modern technique, the restaurant offers an intimate 26-seat dining experience led by Head Chef and Partner Myeongseok Jeong, Partner Jennifer, Sous Chef and Partner Dave Lee, and GM and Partner Sharon Chan. Originally opened as ONEFIVESIX Cumberland in Yorkville in 2021, the restaurant has since relocated to Queen West, where it continues to offer a refined and approachable interpretation of modern Korean cuisine. The menu features modern Korean dishes, seasonal touches, and a beverage program designed to complement the food.

About No Vacancy
No Vacancy is a Toronto-based hospitality concept recognized for its boundary-pushing cocktail program, energetic atmosphere, and contemporary approach to food and beverage culture. Since opening, the venue has earned recognition from major international awards platforms. Through an evolving collaboration between kitchen, bar, music, and design, No Vacancy continues to shape a distinctly modern hospitality experience rooted in creativity, culture, and community.

About Canada’s Great Kitchen Party
Canada’s Great Kitchen Party celebrates excellence in Canadian food, wine and music while supporting charitable initiatives for youth across the country. Through regional culinary competitions in 10 Canadian cities and the annual Canadian Culinary Championship, the organization brings together chefs, winemakers, musicians and community leaders to champion Canadian talent and strengthen local communities.

For more information, visit greatkitchenparty.com.