Q. What was it like "growing up Beverly?"

A. I grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois -- an all-American community. My parents were immigrants from South Korea, so we had dual identities. We wanted to assimilate but also to hold on to our Korean identity.

Q. What was one of your biggest challenges?

A. In Korean culture boys are very special. I was the 4th girl and at that point my parents really wanted a boy. My Dad always said, "If Beverly were a boy, we would have a birthday party for her!"

Q. Is that one of the things that made you try so hard?

A. I wanted to prove to my parents that they were wrong! My sisters are driven for the same reason. One is a chiropractor, another is a news anchor, and another is a lawyer.

Q. Wow. That is a very impressive lineup of girls! Why did you get interested in cooking?

A.I always loved cooking and I learned a lot from my Mom. She spent a lot of time cooking.

Q. What were you like when you were younger?

A. I wanted to be popular, but was very afraid of the cliques. I wanted to do my best but to be my own person, too. I was a competitive pianist and played the piano 6 hours a day. I was the only Asian American cheerleader at school!

Q. Tell us about deciding to be a chef.

A. My sister convinced me I could do it. I wanted to learn more, so one day I went to Borders bookstore to look for books about famous chefs -- especially women chefs. I wrote letters to all of the famous chefs in Chicago and asked them advice.

Q. That is so cool. You took the initiative! What happened next?

A.Sarah Stegner, who was a chef at the Four Seasons in Chicago, called me! She became my mentor and took me under her wing. There are not many women in the business, so Sarah is a great inspiration to me.

Q. What are you doing now?

A.I just recently left Opera, an Asian-Fusion restaurant in Chicago. My dream is to open up my own restaurant with really good, progressive Korean food.

Q. What is your biggest success?

A. I am not driven by money or fame. I consider success being able to spend time doing what I love to do. What I really love is feeding people's souls with food.

Q. What helps you keep going when the going gets tough?

A.I got my core values from my mom. She taught me to believe in myself. The dark side of my journey only made me stronger; it keeps pushing me.

Q. What would you like to share with young girls today?

A. Start doing the things you love! The younger you start, the better you will do. And find a mentor or a role model to work with or look up to. It will make a big difference.