Galvin Bistrot & Bar Hosts One-Night-Only Chef Exchange with Arturo Granato and Judy Joo
On Tuesday 29th September from 7pm, a Spitalfields favourite, Galvin Bistrot & Bar, will host a one-night-only chef exchange, bringing together two of the world’s most exciting culinary voices: Arturo Granato, Chef Director of Galvin Restaurants, and internationally acclaimed chef Judy Joo.
Judy Joo is an internationally acclaimed chef, restaurateur, bestselling author and television personality, renowned for bringing modern Korean cuisine to global audiences. A Columbia engineering graduate and former Wall Street executive, she retrained at New York’s French Culinary Institute before working in celebrated kitchens including The French Laundry and The Fat Duck. In 2011, she became the only woman to win Iron Chef UK. She has since founded Korean street-food concept Seoul Bird, authored bestselling cookbooks, and appeared on UK and US programmes including Saturday Kitchen, Sunday Brunch, Good Morning America and the Food Network.
Hosted by restaurateurs Chris and Jeff Galvin, the evening will bring together two chefs with distinct yet complementary culinary identities. Guests will enjoy a menu that blends Joo’s bold, contemporary Korean cooking with Granato’s elegant, Mediterranean-influenced approach, all set within the warm, home-from-home atmosphere of Galvin Bistrot & Bar.
Arturo Granato, an award-winning Italian chef with over two decades of experience in Europe’s leading Michelin-starred kitchens, has been at the helm of Galvin Restaurants since 2022. His cooking is defined by precision, balance and elegance, shaped by formative years at restaurants including The Greenhouse and Hotel Bauer in Venice, and refined through leadership roles at Club Gascon and Avista.
Guests will begin the evening with a glass of NV Château Moncontour, Vouvray Brut on arrival. The menu opens with snacks to start: a Wild mushroom soy truffle dumpling by Judy Joo, alongside a Dorset crab tartelette, brown crab aioli, smoked trout roe by Arturo Granato.
For the starter, Judy Joo presents a Korean steak tartar with lotus root crisps, before Granato follows with Cacio & pepe tortelli, Sicilian prawn crudo, Amalfi lemon, showcasing his refined, produce-led European technique.
For the main course, Joo serves Kalbi short ribs with ssamjang, kimchi and steamed short grain rice, delivering bold, deeply savoury Korean flavour.
Dessert returns to Granato’s refined style with a Delica pumpkin & clementine tart, paired with a caramelized white chocolate gelato – a warming, autumnal finale.
Galvin Bistrot & Bar, located in the heart of Spitalfields, offers a relaxed Mediterranean escape in the heart of the City, with a warm, neighbourhood feel. The menu is ingredient-led and rooted in deep flavour, showcasing the very best produce from trusted suppliers. It combines informal charm with polished service, making it a welcoming and much-loved dining destination in East London.
The dinner is priced at £75.00 per person, including a glass of Glass of NV Château Moncontour, Vouvray Brut, on arrival.
