Simon Kim
Founder & CEO,
Gracious Hospitality Management
Owner, COTE Korean
Steak House & COQODAQ
trailblazer AWARD
Simon Kim is the CEO and Founder of Gracious Hospitality Management, the brand behind the Michelin-starred COTE Korean Steakhouse in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, Miami’s Design District, Singapore, and a forthcoming location in Vegas, along with bespoke cocktail lounge Undercote, COQODAQ, the brand’s newest fried chicken concept and a multi-level project at 550 Madison Avenue in New York in the works.
Born in Seoul, Kim began his hospitality career at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, while studying Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada. He would go on to lead the front-of-house teams for notable chefs, including Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Thomas Keller, and open his first Michelin-starred restaurant, Piora, at the age of 31.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Simon opened COTE in 2017, New York City’s first Korean steakhouse and the only Michelin-starred Korean tabletop grill restaurant in the world, an honor now shared by COTE Miami following its breakthrough first year in the city’s Design District. COTE quickly earned numerous accolades within its first few months, including GQ’s Best New Restaurants in America, two stars from The New York Times and New York Magazine, James Beard Foundation Award nominations, and semifinalist nods for Best New Restaurant and Outstanding Wine List. In January 2024, Simon expanded Gracious Hospitality Management’s global footprint with the debut of COTE Singapore—its first international outpost at COMO Orchard—alongside COQODAQ, his first new concept in seven years. Dedicated to Better Friend Chicken, COQODAQ swiftly became one of Manhattan’s most sought-after restaurants, earning a Bib Gourmand from the MICHELIN Guide, a spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s ‘Hot List,’ and recognition from The Infatuation and Eater as one of the city’s ‘Hottest New Restaurants.’
Simon’s accolades include being named EY Entrepreneur of the Year New York in 2022, a Crain’s 40 Under 40 honoree, one of Robb Report’s ‘Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining’ in 2023 and 2024, and a featured name on Observer’s Dining and Nightlife Power List in 2023 and 2024. In addition to serving as an Associate Board Member of the National Restaurant Association, he has been recognized with the Next Generation Award from the NYC Hospitality Alliance and the 2023 Inspiration Award from Apex for Youth.
A visionary in the hospitality industry, Simon is also deeply committed to supporting local Asian American communities. In 2021, he founded Taste of Asia, an annual tasting event celebrating New York City’s AAPI communities. Featuring a curated selection of 40 restaurants serving Asian-inspired bites in Madison Square Park, the event honors the diversity and vitality of AAPI culture and cuisine in New York City and beyond, raising $1.2 million in its inaugural year, $1.4 million in both 2022 and 2024 for a variety of organizations, including City Harvest and Madison Square Park Conservancy—where Simon serves on the Board of Directors—as well as Apex for Youth.
trailblazer AWARD
Simon Kim
Founder & CEO,
Gracious Hospitality Management
Owner, COTE Korean
Steak House & COCODAQ
Simon Kim is the CEO and Founder of Gracious Hospitality Management, the brand behind the Michelin-starred COTE Korean Steakhouse in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, Miami’s Design District, Singapore, and a forthcoming location in Vegas, along with bespoke cocktail lounge Undercote, COQODAQ, the brand’s newest fried chicken concept and a multi-level project at 550 Madison Avenue in New York in the works.
Born in Seoul, Kim began his hospitality career at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, while studying Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada. He would go on to lead the front-of-house teams for notable chefs, including Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Thomas Keller, and open his first Michelin-starred restaurant, Piora, at the age of 31.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Simon opened COTE in 2017, New York City’s first Korean steakhouse and the only Michelin-starred Korean tabletop grill restaurant in the world, an honor now shared by COTE Miami following its breakthrough first year in the city’s Design District. COTE quickly earned numerous accolades within its first few months, including GQ’s Best New Restaurants in America, two stars from The New York Times and New York Magazine, James Beard Foundation Award nominations, and semifinalist nods for Best New Restaurant and Outstanding Wine List. In January 2024, Simon expanded Gracious Hospitality Management’s global footprint with the debut of COTE Singapore—its first international outpost at COMO Orchard—alongside COQODAQ, his first new concept in seven years. Dedicated to Better Friend Chicken, COQODAQ swiftly became one of Manhattan’s most sought-after restaurants, earning a Bib Gourmand from the MICHELIN Guide, a spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s ‘Hot List,’ and recognition from The Infatuation and Eater as one of the city’s ‘Hottest New Restaurants.’
Simon’s accolades include being named EY Entrepreneur of the Year New York in 2022, a Crain’s 40 Under 40 honoree, one of Robb Report’s ‘Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining’ in 2023 and 2024, and a featured name on Observer’s Dining and Nightlife Power List in 2023 and 2024. In addition to serving as an Associate Board Member of the National Restaurant Association, he has been recognized with the Next Generation Award from the NYC Hospitality Alliance and the 2023 Inspiration Award from Apex for Youth.
A visionary in the hospitality industry, Simon is also deeply committed to supporting local Asian American communities. In 2021, he founded Taste of Asia, an annual tasting event celebrating New York City’s AAPI communities. Featuring a curated selection of 40 restaurants serving Asian-inspired bites in Madison Square Park, the event honors the diversity and vitality of AAPI culture and cuisine in New York City and beyond, raising $1.2 million in its inaugural year, $1.4 million in both 2022 and 2024 for a variety of organizations, including City Harvest and Madison Square Park Conservancy—where Simon serves on the Board of Directors—as well as Apex for Youth.