The Music Center has announced the appointment of chef Mindy Oh as the new executive chef at The Music Center, Los Angeles’ premier performing arts center. With an extensive background in culinary arts and a passion for innovation, Oh brings a wealth of experience to her role. She previously served as chef de cuisine at Abernethy’s restaurant, The Music Center’s culinary incubator known for its distinctive Emerging Chef Program. In this new role, Oh will spearhead culinary operations across all three oncampus restaurants – Abernethy’s, asterid and Kendall’s – The Mullin Wine Bar, onsite concessions and pop-ups and The Music Center’s catering arm Hope & Grand Events.

A native Angeleno, Oh was raised in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles and had a very close relationship with her family, especially with her grandparents. As a child, she learned traditional Korean dancing and grew up enjoying Korean food. She began her culinary career studying at Le Cordon Bleu. While attending culinary school, she fine-tuned her skills working at Patina Catering. Before becoming chef de cuisine at Abernethy’s, she worked as a sous chef for Superba Food and Bread and was the opening executive chef for Mora.

In addition to naming a new campus executive chef, The Music Center has partnered with Kathleen Schaffer, creative director and co-founder of SCHAFFER, a highly regarded event hospitality company based in Los Angeles, to further expand the capabilities of Hope & Grand Events. With a rich background in culinary arts and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences, Schaffer has established herself as a leader in the industry. She has advanced her career as an executive chef throughout the world and has been recognized for her culinary accomplishments by the James Beard House, AAA Five Diamond and Chef George Perrier of Le Bec Fin. Schaffer’s leadership, along with her husband and business partner, have led SCHAFFER to earn Caterer of the Year at the 2019 and 2024 CATIE Awards. She will collaborate with Oh and the Hope & Grand Events team on select events to respond to client interests for a more elevated culinary experience.

“The Music Center congratulates Chef Mindy Oh and Kathleen Schaffer as they join our culinary arts team that serves tens of thousands of delicious meals every year to Angelenos and guests who dine in our restaurants or at galas and other special experiences produced by Hope & Grand Events. These two appointments underscore The Music Center’s commitment to providing unparalleled dining experiences that complement our worldclass performances and events,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “I invite everyone to enjoy our campus dining establishments or perhaps host a special event on our campus. You will fall in love with dining in the heart of Downtown L.A.’s arts corridor in just one bite.”

For information, visit musiccenter.org. The Music Center is located at 135 N. Grand Ave.