Meet Esther Kim & Nik Partridge | Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Esther Kim & Nik Partridge and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Esther Kim &, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
We both worked in restaurants for 10+ years and by the time we reconnected in Athens, GA neither of us were working for restaurants. Then COVID hit shortly after moving here and we started to form the idea of MOUTHFEEL as a creative outlet and a way to give back to the community. The first thing we did was making and delivering frozen dumplings then we donated all of the proceeds to BLM. Now we have a monthly residency at The Old Pal serving up Korean bar snacks. Through MOUTHFEEL, we want to highlight and celebrate Korean cuisine and culture.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I went straight to culinary school at CIA after high school in 2008. After graduating, I moved to Boston and worked in my first professional kitchen at Coppa under Chef Jamie Bissonnette. Bounced around a few other kitchens over the years, most memorably Empire State South in Atlanta, and Husk Charleston. I ended up moving back to Atlanta in 2015 to be on the opening crew at Staplehouse under my chef/mentor Ryan Smith. We ended up being named Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit in 2016, which was definitely the highlight of my career. I wouldn’t necessarily call my path easy, but I learned a lot along the way and shaped me into the person I am today. -Nik

I originally went to school for photography at SCAD. During my time there was when I decided I wanted to cook professionally. Eventually I decided to drop out of college and start working in kitchens. I had never worked in a professional kitchen before and I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it was something that I somehow knew I could do. I lied my way into getting my first big girl kitchen job at The Optimist under Adam Evans and from there continued to work at some of the best restaurants in Atlanta. One thing that I was told early in my cooking career, by the late Angus Brown, was that I needed to go into work everyday and strive to be better than everyone else in the kitchen. “That’s the fastest way to get better at cooking,” he said and he was right. He taught me a lot. -Esther

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We currently live in Athens, GA which has some really great spots to eat and drink. Would probably start off with drinks and snacks at Puma Yus, or if you want some more casual, you can go grab a pint and an order of fish and chips at The Royal Peasant. Old Pal is a great place to end the evening with a cocktail. We miss a lot of restaurants in Atlanta, but it’s only an hour drive away so making a trip there is a must, The go to spot to start the evening would be Kimball House. Staplehouse, Talat Market, Boccalupo, and/or Gigi’s for dinner. If you’re wanting to venture a little bit outside of Atlanta, hit up Buford Highway or Duluth. So many amazing Asian restaurants of all kinds! Dim sum, soondubu, sushi, hot pot, pho – you name it, they got it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our friend group, honestly. We have a group of amazingly talented friends that are also the most thoughtful and caring human beings that we’ve had the pleasure of cooking for and calling family. In 2021, we would have “family meals” once or twice a week. We’re all a lot busier now but still manage to find time to come together for group dinner once or twice a month.

Instagram: instagram.com/eatmouthfeel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatmouthfeel

Image Credits
Arch Street Creative/Ike Gee