LOS ANGELES, California – April 13, 2026 – Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown, IHG’s flagship Indigo property, proudly announces the appointment of Chef Sean Han as Executive Chef. With over 25 years of experience spanning Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, and international hospitality groups, Chef Han will oversee all culinary operations at the property, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, 18 Social lounge, as well as banquet and catering. Classically trained in French technique, he brings a cross-cultural perspective shaped by Korean and Japanese influences, paired with the operational expertise required for high-volume, lifestyle-driven dining.
“Los Angeles presents a unique opportunity to build a culinary program that reflects both global influence and the abundance of seasonal ingredients,” said Chef Sean Han. “There is a strong cultural and culinary identity here, particularly through Korean and broader Asian influences that continue to shape how people dine. My goal is to create menus that are modern, relevant, and operationally adaptable, while delivering a high-quality guest experience across all touchpoints.”
In his new role, Chef Han is leading a comprehensive menu revamp across the hotel’s outlets, aimed at strengthening its position within the competitive Downtown Los Angeles dining landscape. He joins at an exciting time as the hotel embarks on a multi-year partnership with Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), to which he created a limited-time LAFC Black & Gold Menu at Metropole Bar + Kitchen, designed to energize match days. His approach emphasizes California’s seasonal ingredients paired with globally influenced flavors, striking a balance to appeal to discerning local diners and elevated execution aligned with the Hotel Indigo brand.
“Chef Han brings a balance of fine-dining pedigree and large-scale operational expertise, which is critical as we continue to refine our culinary positioning,” said Charles Cho, General Manager of Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown. “His experience across international markets and complex F&B environments will be instrumental as we enhance both guest-facing concepts and group dining capabilities.”
Prior to joining Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown, Chef Han served as Director of Culinary at the Michelin 2-star Restaurant Allen in Korea, where he helped maintain the restaurant’s distinction while leading daily kitchen operations. He also led the culinary program for the APAC 2025 Summit, overseeing state banquets and diplomatic dining experiences for First Ladies of 15 nations and senior government officials.
His international experience includes leading pre-opening and concept development initiatives with luxury brands such as The Shilla Hotel and Banyan Tree Busan, where he helped launch 35 food and beverage outlets. In the United States, he held leadership roles at The Westin San Francisco Airport, Aloft San Francisco Airport, and Bodega Bay Lodge. He trained at Le Cordon Bleu San Francisco and alongside renowned chefs such as Traci Des Jardins, Hubert Keller, Douglas Keane, and at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas.
Chef Han’s new menus are expected to roll out in phases beginning later this year.
