Pizza Chef Ann Kim's Closet Is Just Like Her Menus—Functional and a Little Irreverent

By Melissa Ozawa
May 15, 2020
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Credit: The Restaurant Project

Here, Kim—the owner and culinary mastermind behind the Midwest's Pizzeria Lola, Hello Pizza, and Young Joni—shares a few of her favorite things, from kitchen to beauty staples.

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Credit: The Restaurant Project

Ann Kim's story is a modern food-lover's fairy tale: A Korean immigrant with no formal culinary training opens a pizza restaurant in Minneapolis, then another, and another; today, she helms Pizzeria Lola, Hello Pizza, and Young Joni. Lines snake out the doors, critics rave, and she nabs the 2019 James Beard Award for best Midwest chef.

A former actress, Kim grew up cooking with her mom and grandma, and in 2008 decided to turn what she'd learned into a career. Seconds before signing a contract to run a sandwich franchise, however, she said no to fear (her viral tweet about this moment is a lot spicier) and gambled on her college-meal staple. "Pizza was my sustenance," she jokes of her undergrad days as an English major at Columbia University, in New York City. "It has most of the major food groups, is delicious and cheap, and begins with great bread."

Kim hit the books and experimented for months to perfect her dough, then started with traditional wood-fired pies before layering on childhood favorites: fiery kimchi, charred bulgogi. "For many diners, it was an intro to Korean food by way of something they were comfortable eating," says Kim, whose closet is just like her menus—full of classics with an irreverent twist. "Once you have a great foundation, everything else is creativity and having fun." Ahead, a few of Kim's favorite things, from her culinary wardrobe and go-to beauty products to the snacks (spicy almonds and mackerel!) she absolutely can't live without.

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Chef Coat

Credit: Courtesy of Tilit NYC

"It's really comfortable, the material is great quality, and it fits a woman's body."

Shop Now: Tilit PPX Chef Coat, $127, tilitnyc.com.

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Denim Apron

Credit: Peter Ardito

"The fabric has a light stretch, and it's not heavy. Plus, I'm proud to support a business owned by a fellow female Korean immigrant."

Shop Now: Petal Pushing Denim Apron, from $88, petalpushing.com.

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Lip Butter

Credit: Peter Ardito

"This keeps my lips moisturized with a hint of color. I dab some on my cheeks for a natural glow."

Shop Now: Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter, $14, korresusa.com.

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Favorite Whisky

Credit: Courtesy of Nikka Coffey

"It's incredibly smooth, with notes of caramel and vanilla, and a little kick at the end."

Shop Now: Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky, $64.99, wine.com.

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Hoops

Credit: Courtesy of Cynthia Rybakoff

"I'm a hoop girl; these go with anything."

Shop Now: Cynthia Rybakoff Gold Perfect Hoop Earrings, from $58, cynthiarybakoff.com.

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Coveralls

Credit: Peter Ardito

"Stylish and practical, they make me feel Rosie-the-Riveter strong!"

Shop Now: Wildfang Workwear Coveralls, $188, wildfang.com.

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Go-To Glassware

Credit: Courtesy of Iittala

"It looks like it's made of ice. I love to drink whiskey in it."

Shop Now: Iittala Ultima Thule Glass, from $45 for two, finnstyle.com.

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Chef's Knife

Credit: Courtesy of Wusthof

"An awesome knife at a really good price."

Shop Now: Wusthof Classic 8-inch Cook's Knife, $119.95, williams-sonoma.com.

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Best-Selling Pie

Credit: Rachel Crew

"We offer a full menu with whole fish, salads, and grain bowls, but this pie is our best seller. It has thinly sliced beef marinated in bulgogi sauce and arugula with gochujang vinaigrette."

Shop Now: Young Joni Korean BBQ Pizza, price dependent on quantity, youngjoni.com.

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Spicy Snack

Credit: Peter Ardito

"They're addictive. I can't just have one."

Shop Now: Blue Diamond Wasabi and Soy Sauce Almonds, $4.50, target.com.

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Tabasco Pepper Sauce

Credit: Courtesy of Tabasco

"I put it on everything, literally and liberally!"

Shop Now: Tabasco Pepper Sauce, from $2, tabasco.com.

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Tulip Pedi

Credit: Peter Ardito

"I love this on my toes."

Shop Now: OPI Nail Polish in Dutch Tulips, $10.50, opi.com.

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Mackerel

Credit: Courtesy of Patagonia Provisions

"A hunk of bread, a swipe of butter, and a sprinkle of sea salt topped with a piece of this is heaven."

Shop Now: Patagonia Spanish Paprika Mackerel, $7, patagoniaprovisions.com.

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Elevated Kicks

Credit: Courtesy of Onitsuka Tiger

"They're comfortable and give me a two-inch boost."

Shop Now: Onitsuka Tiger "Pokkuri PF" Sneakers, $110, onitsukatiger.com.

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Shopper Tote

Credit: Courtesy of Shinola

"I carry everything in it: my laptop, recipe books, makeup bag, wallet, and gummy worms."

Shop Now: Shinola Medium Shopper Tote, $395, shinola.com.

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Lime LaCroix

Credit: Peter Ardito

"It tastes the most like fresh lime and has a good carbonation balance."

Shop Now: LaCroix Lime Sparkling Water, from $3.69 for an eight-pack, target.com.

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By Melissa Ozawa