Irvine’s Habit Burger & Grill is launching a chef in residency program called Habit & Co. this year to push new food innovation, starting with Food Network’s Chef Jet Tila in July.
The James Beard-recognized and Emmy-nominated chef spent a year developing three new dishes for the burger chain’s menu, inspired by the Korean street food he grew up eating in Los Angeles: Korean fried chicken bites, crispy rice Korean salad and a sweet & spicy Korean charburger.
“We’re inviting top-tier culturally relevant collaborators into our kitchen and giving them room to create,” Director of Brand Marketing Jack Lettenmair said in a statement.
The new menu items will be served at all 390 Habit restaurants, starting July 22 through Sept. 15. The company, owned by Yum Brands, is the seventh largest restaurant chain headquartered in Orange County with systemwide sales of $706 million.
Habit said it will have two more chefs in residence this year after Tila who will also create new, limited-time burgers, salads or sides that will be available for eight weeks.