Beverly Kim has risen through the ranks of Chicago’s restaurant scene to become one of the city’s most acclaimed and recognized chefs. She is one of the few women of color to be awarded the prestigious James Beard Award, and is a proud mother, and industry activist who first gained notoriety as a contestant on Top Chef in 2011. She co-owns the Michelin-starred Parachute in Chicago with her husband, Chef Johnny Clark which was recognized by the Chicago Tribune as Best New Restaurant in 2015 and a spot on Bon Appetit’s nationwide “Best New Restaurants” list. Chef Beverly and her husband were awarded the 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes. That same year they gave birth to their third son and their second restaurant, Wherewithall.
As one of the few female chef/owners in the industry, Chef Beverly started a nonprofit organization during the pandemic, The Abundance Setting, to address the alarming gender inequality in the culinary and hospitality fields. In November of 2021, Chef Beverly was named one of the Chicagoans of the year for keeping women at the table. In addition, the Chicago Tribune awarded The Abundance Setting "Best New Industry Resource" of 2020, and her leadership is featured in the October 2021 issue of Bon Appetit magazine.