The old adage goes, 'April Showers bring May Flowers'. However, they never saw flora and fauna created by Genesis House. After last year's success with Bloomtanica, the immersive experience using LED and real flowers, Genesis House teamed up with Hollywood icon Gwyneth Paltrow to reimagine an iconic Korean moment. The Forest Within, Genesis House's latest exhibition, explores the intersection of nature and technology with the support of Jeff Leatham’s signature floral designs, forging a transformative experience: a reimagining of the Korean forest through immersive, physical-meets-digital design. However, the experience goes beyond the exhibition and onto the plate. Genesis House executive chef Mincheol Shin cleverly riffed off the exhibition for a unique menu that takes its cues from nature, but with a decidedly haute cuisine spin.
For Chef Shin, the starting point was the forest. "One of the first ideas that came to mind was to create tiger-patterned open dumplings," explains Chef Shin. "Playful and visually striking, they brought the spirit of the forest to life on the plate. I also wanted to design a dessert that captured the forest in a more abstract, sensory way. Thinking about the forest floor, I chose danggui (licorice) for its earthy aroma and deep, herbal flavor—ingredients that evoke the richness of soil." The resulting dessert is a feast for the eyes (and tastebuds) with a refined presentation and equally tantalizing flavors.
However, Chef Shin sought to build off this concept with his spring menu rooted in the fruits and vegetables of the season amplified through proteins. "Within our “Small + Light” menu section, we wanted to capture that spirit of awakening through a collection of seasonal dishes that celebrate the arrival of Spring. To evoke the rich, grounding flavors of the season, I used ingredients like garlic and aged gochujang—their deep, fermented warmth adding layers of complexity to our dishes."
This ethos also translates into Chef Shin's spring tasting menu, which again, is derived from seasonality. "Choosing ingredients at their peak is my top priority—because for me, the essence of good cooking starts with what nature provides in the moment," adds Shin. Once set, it's Chef Shin's creative mind that wanders allowing him to create pairings and dishes symbolizing new beginnings, growth, and renewal. "I created a modern reinterpretation of traditional herbal duck, inspired by hanbang baeksuk—a deeply nourishing Korean dish traditionally used to restore the body after a long, cold winter. My goal was to preserve the heart of the original while reimagining its form for a more contemporary presentation." Subverting tradition, Chef Shin opted to forgo serving the duck whole in broth in lieu of a more minimal yet equally impactful manner. "We carefully stuff the duck skin with yakbap—a fragrant sweet rice infused with jujubes and chestnuts—and serve it with a rich, herbal sauce made from chestnuts, ginseng, and jujubes. The result is a dish that retains the warmth, depth, and restorative qualities of hanbang baeksuk, but expressed in a more refined and unexpected way."
And while some of the dishes might find their origins within the Joseon Dynasty (the final dynasty of Korea, ruling from 1392 to 1910), the execution is entirely 2025. For Chef Shin, it's the experiential aspect across all touchpoints that make his work fun. "What has made the experience even more meaningful is how closely the event’s deeper message aligns with the philosophy behind my food," adds Shin. "It isn’t just visually stunning—it carries an emotional and conceptual depth that makes the collaboration especially rewarding."
The Forest Within is on view at Genesis through June 29th; for more information, please visit genesishouse.com.
All images courtesy of Genesis House
