Jordan to launch barbeque restaurant with Korean chef

Basketball legend Michael Jordan is planning to launch a new restaurant with a Korean chef.

According to Chicago media outlets on Wednesday (KST), the 48-year-old is planning to open a barbeque joint called "Belly Q" with Korean-American chef Bill Kim.

It will replace the now closed One Sixtyblue, which the former Chicago Bull's guard managed for 14 years with his Cornerstone Restaurant Group, and open sometime in the spring.

A press release by Cornerstone stated that though the menu is not yet finalized, people should "expect a flavor palette that's boldy smoky and brightly piquant, with a depth of flavor that sneaks up on you and leaves you wanting more".

Kim, known in Chicago for his Asian-concept recipes and as a chef at Charlie Trotter's, currently own the Urban Belly and Belly Shack with his wife Yvonne Cadiz.

According to financial news media Chicago Business, he is known to have met Jordan via mutual friend Mark Dombkoski, who is the basketball star's vice president of operations in a Philadelphia restaurant.

"(Mr. Dombkoski and Mr. Kim) kept in touch and have been in ongoing negotiations for a long time. The time was right and it came altogether", said a spokeswoman for Jordan's group.

This is not the basketball icon's first venture into food, as he already owns Michael Jordan's Steak House and 23.sportscafe.

By Cho Mu-hyun