Chef Esther Choi is everywhere. If you’ve spent any time on the Food Network lately, or if you’re a fan of the high-stakes intensity of Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, you know her face. She’s the powerhouse behind mŏkbar, the woman who made Korean-American fusion feel essential rather than just trendy. But while her professional life is a whirlwind of kimchi, cameras, and rapid expansion, people are increasingly curious about the person standing off-camera. Specifically, the relationship between Esther Choi and Joshua Griffiths has become a point of quiet fascination for fans who want to know how one of the busiest chefs in New York balances it all.
It's not a secret, exactly. It’s just that Esther isn't the type to plaster her private life across every Instagram Story. She's busy.
Who is Joshua Griffiths?
Joshua Griffiths is Esther Choi’s partner. They live together in a newly renovated apartment in New York City, a space that presumably sees a lot of high-end cooking—or maybe just a lot of well-deserved takeout after a 14-hour shift at the restaurant. While Joshua doesn't share the same blinding spotlight as Esther, his presence in her life provides a grounded contrast to the chaotic world of professional kitchens and television production.
They aren't just a couple; they're a family.
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The pair shares a son named Leonardo. Having a child while managing multiple restaurant locations and a burgeoning TV career is, honestly, a logistical feat that would break most people. Then there’s Persimmon, their dog, who rounds out the household. It’s a domestic setup that feels remarkably "normal" compared to the high-octane energy Esther projects when she’s battling for culinary supremacy on screen.
The Balance of Fame and Family
Maintaining a relationship like the one between Esther Choi and Joshua Griffiths in the public eye is tricky. You've seen it a million times—chefs become celebrities, the brand becomes the person, and suddenly there’s no room left for a private life. Esther seems to have threaded that needle by being transparent but not performative. She talks about her family when it’s natural, but she doesn't use them as props for engagement.
New York City isn't exactly the easiest place to raise a family, either.
The couple's move into a renovated apartment speaks to a commitment to building a permanent home base in a city that often feels transient. For Esther, who started mŏkbar in Chelsea Market back in 2014, NYC is the heart of her empire. Having Joshua there as a partner means having a support system that understands the grueling nature of the hospitality industry.
Why the Public is Interested Now
Why are we even talking about this? Well, Esther’s star has risen exponentially in the last couple of years. When you go from being a respected local chef to a household name on Tournament of Champions and a finalist on Iron Chef, people start googling. They want to know who is behind the scenes.
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There's also the "relatability" factor.
In an era of hyper-curated lifestyle influencers, seeing a chef of Esther's caliber navigate motherhood and a long-term partnership with Joshua Griffiths is refreshing. It’s a reminder that even the people who seem to have "made it" are still dealing with the same stuff we all are—renovations, parenting, and making sure the dog gets walked.
Beyond the Kitchen: A Shared Life
If you follow Esther’s career, you know she’s deeply rooted in her heritage. Her grandmother was her primary culinary influence, teaching her the fundamentals of Korean cooking that she later modernized. This sense of lineage and family clearly carries over into her personal life with Joshua.
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It’s about legacy.
When Esther speaks about her son, Leonardo, you get the sense that she’s building something for him. The restaurants—mŏkbar, Ms. Yoo—aren't just businesses; they are her life's work. Joshua Griffiths plays the role of the steady partner in this narrative. While he isn't frequently in the headlines for his own culinary exploits, his role in the family unit is clearly vital for Esther’s ability to maintain her breakneck pace.
Navigating the "Chef Life" Challenges
Let’s be real for a second. The "chef life" is notorious for destroying relationships. The hours are terrible. You’re working when everyone else is playing. You’re stressed, you’re tired, and you probably smell like garlic and fry oil most of the time.
The fact that Esther Choi and Joshua Griffiths have built a stable home life in the middle of that storm is impressive. It suggests a level of communication and mutual respect that goes beyond what we see in a 30-second cooking clip. Joshua isn't a "chef spouse" in the stereotypical sense of being a silent background character; he’s an active part of the foundation that allows Esther to be Esther.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Chefs
If you're looking at Esther and Joshua as a blueprint for balancing a high-pressure career with a personal life, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Privacy is a Choice: You don't owe the world every detail of your relationship. Keeping some things "just for you" can actually strengthen the bond.
- Support Systems are Non-Negotiable: You cannot run a restaurant empire and raise a family alone. Whether it’s a partner like Joshua or a wider circle of friends and family, you need people you can lean on.
- Integration over Balance: Instead of trying to keep work and life in two separate boxes, Esther seems to integrate them. Her family is part of her story, but not her whole identity.
- Define Your Own Success: Success isn't just about how many Michelin stars you have or how many TV shows you win. It's about coming home to a space—and a person—that feels like a sanctuary.
To truly understand the trajectory of Esther Choi’s career, you have to acknowledge the stability provided by her personal life. Joshua Griffiths might not be the one in the chef’s whites on your television screen, but he’s clearly a primary ingredient in the recipe for her continued success. As Esther continues to expand her brand and influence the way America thinks about Korean food, the home she’s built with Joshua and Leonardo remains the quiet engine behind the scenes.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
If you want to support Esther's work directly, visit mŏkbar in New York or Jersey City to experience the food that built her career. You can also follow her official social media channels for professional updates, though don't expect a tell-all about her home life—she's far too busy for that.