Culinary Class Wars is a reality cooking show where 100 chefs compete to become the best chef in Korea. The competition is divided between 80 Black Spoon chefs, who are lesser-known and often underestimated, and 20 elite White Spoon chefs, already famous in the food world. The goal is to prove their culinary skills through a series of intense cooking challenges.
Judging this competition is no easy task. The show features two highly respected chefs:
1) Paik Jong-won: A well-known restaurateur and television personality, Paik Jong-won is famous for his appearances on shows like Paik's Spirit. His vast knowledge of the food industry makes him the perfect judge.
2) Anh Sung-jae: Anh Sung-jae is the head chef of Mosu Seoul, a three-star Michelin restaurant. His experience in high-end cuisine adds serious credibility to the judging panel.
List of promising contestants
Though Culinary Class Wars features 100 chefs, there are some standout contestants who have caught the audience’s attention. Below are 25 chefs that have made an impression in the early episodes of Culinary Class Wars:
1) Park Eun-young
Nickname: Goddess of Chinese Cuisine
Former chef at Hong Ba-gak, apprentice to White Spoon chef Lu Chinglai
Instagram: @eunyoungo__o
2) Kim Tae-sung
Nickname: Hidden Genius
Chef and owner of PONO BUONO, former executive chef at SAV Seoul
Instagram: @urbantae
3) Cho Seo-hyeong
Nickname: Genius Restaurateur
Owner of Eujiro Boseok, participant in The Skip Dating
Instagram: @seohy2ong
4) Song Ha Seyl Ram
Nickname: Side Dish Chef
CEO of MAMALEE Market, experience in Michelin restaurants
Instagram: @songhaseulram
5) Jason Oh Un-tak
Nickname: Chef-owner of Namyeong Chicken
Former chef at Michelin-starred restaurants in Hong Kong
Instagram: @jason.j.oh
6) Jacob Hyun Sang-wok
Nickname: God of Seasoning
Chef and owner of Edamame, sous-chef at Michelin 2-star restaurants
Instagram: @jacobhyun
7) Bae Kyung-jun
Nickname: One Two Three
Head chef at Bornyon, graduate of The Culinary Institute of America
Instagram: @kj_bae
8) Scott Kang Seung-won
Nickname: Triple Star
Chef and owner of Trid worked at Michelin 3-star restaurants
Instagram: @scottiey_
9) Auntie Omakase #1
Owner of Cheerful Drinking Table and Andongjip Song Kalguksi
Instagram: N/A
10) Lim Tae-hoo
Nickname: Self-Made Chef
Chef and owner of Doryang
Instagram: @chulgabangchef
11) Cho Kwang-hyo
Nickname: Comic Book Chef
Chef and owner of the restaurants Cho Kwang 201 and Cho Kwang 101.
Instagram: @cho__kwang
12) David Lee
Nickname: Meat Master
Chef and owner of Guunmong, worked in New York restaurants
Instagram: @meatthegangster
13) Lim Hee-won
Nickname: Celebrities' Chef
Chef and owner of BUTO
Instagram: @lim_stagram
14) Jin Hwa-mok
Nickname: Seung-woo's Dad
Cooking YouTuber with 1.4 million subscribers
Instagram: @swab_official
YouTube: @swab85
15) Kim Byoung-mook
Nickname: Yakitoro King
Chef and owner of Yakitori Mook, recognized by Michelin Bib Gourmand from 2021 to 2023.
Instagram: @yakitorimook
16) Park Ji-young
Nickname: Kitchen Boss
Chef and owner of Nawoo
Instagram: @jyp_jijipark
17) Kwon Sung-jun
Nickname: Napoli Mafia
He's the chef and owner of Via Toledo Pasta Bar
Instagram: @napolimatfia
18) Yoon Nam-no
Nickname: Cooking Mania
Head chef at Deepin, former Master Chef Korea 4 contestant
Instagram: @ynncook
19) Shawn Park Sung-woo
Former sous-chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy
Instagram: @chefshawnpark
20) Lee Mi-young
Nickname: Master of School Meals
Former cook at Habuk Elementary School
Instagram: @schoolfood_chef
21) Austin Kang
Nickname: Chef of All Trades
Model, TV personality, top 5 in Master Chef Korea 4
Instagram: @austinkangg
22) Park Jung-hyun
Nickname: Underestimated
Chef and owner of SUM, participant in Love Catcher in Bali
Instagram: @junghyuniiii
Release details of Culinary Class Wars
The first seven episodes of Culinary Class Wars are already available for streaming on Netflix. The next set of episodes, 8 to 10, will be released on October 1, and the final two episodes of Culinary Class Wars will air on October 8.
Culinary Class Wars brings an exciting mix of culinary expertise and raw, underdog talent. As the Black Spoon chefs rise to challenge the White Spoon chefs, viewers are in for a treat as they witness these dramatic, apron-to-apron battles unfold. Whether you're rooting for the established stars or the hidden masters, this show offers a thrilling glimpse into the world of competitive cooking.