15.076 New Zealand Salmon in Butter Curry Sauce

Cycle 15 – Item 76

21 (Thursday) March 2024

New Zealand Salmon in Butter Curry Sauce

3.5

at New Zealand Embassy Residence

-Dongbinggo, Yongsan, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

with reception participants

We supported author Graci Kim’s tour of Korea this week, sort of.   The trip was sponsored and organized by the New Zealand Embassy (before becoming a writer, Graci was a diplomat for the New Zealand government and worked with the current Ambassador to Korea).  Our engagement arose entirely by chance: a few weeks back, the Ambassador happened to be at Dwight, where her children go to school, saw us setting up for the book fair (see generally 15.047 Woosamgyeop Jjageuli), informed us of the upcoming tour, and asked if we could supply Graci’s books for an event at the Embassy, which we did.  We also provided a link on our website to the international schools that she would be visiting.

Located in the hills south of Itaewon – when I asked the staff about valet parking, they were confused because, apparently, people who typically visit the residence are chauffeured.

The initial conversation was with one of the Ambassador’s staff, which went kinda like this:

Aide: What is it that you’re doing here?

Me: We’re setting up for a book fair this week.

Aide: Where do you get all these English books?

Me: From the US and UK.

Aide: You do?!?! (as if shocked that such a thing could be possible)

Me: Yes, and we sell the books all across Korea.

Aide: Do you know an author named Graci Kim?

Me: Yes.

Aide: You do?!?!

Me: Yes, and we have her books in stock for the book fair.

Aide: You do?!?!

For those who don’t know, Graci Kim is the author of The Gifted Clans trilogy, a New York Times best-selling fantasy series, part of the Rick Riordan universe.  The first book The Last Fallen Star is also a nominee for the middle school Morning Calm Award this year.  So of course I know her, and of course we have her books.

The evening started with a short speech – more of a story – by Graci.

This evening, the Embassy hosted a reception for Graci, inviting friends and family and local VIPs.  I was honored to be invited and pleased to see that the books that had been purchased were given away to guests for signing by the author.

Mozzie Marlborough Pinot Noir (2022) (1.5) + Mozzie Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (2023) (2.5) – both form New Zealand (“Aotearoa” is the Maori term for New Zealand).

I spent most of the evening chatting with Susan Lee, a Korean-American author of young adult romance novels, who was introduced to me by Graci.   Previously unaware of her work, I look forward to reading the books and possibly ordering them.

Although I didn’t know them at the time, this photo captures Susan, Graci’s husband and daughter in the background (top left of frame).

The food was excellent.  I was told that the residence chef, who hails from Sri Lanka, always kills it.

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)

(See also BOOZE)

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