One-hundred chefs, one winner: Netflix's 'Culinary Class Wars' seeks to find best cook in Korea

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One-hundred chefs, one winner: Netflix's 'Culinary Class Wars' seeks to find best cook in Korea

Published: 11 Sep. 2024, 17:18 Updated: 11 Sep. 2024, 18:43

LEE JIAN
lee.jian@joongang.co.kr

Creators and judges of Netflix Korea's "Culinary Class Wars" attend the press conference for the show at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Wednesday. From left are restauranteur Paik Jong-won, producer Kim Hak-min, producer Kim Eun-ji and chef Ahn Sung-jae. [NETFLIX KOREA]

Who is the best cook in Korea? Netflix's upcoming survival show “Culinary Class Wars” is set to find out.

From Michelin-starred chefs to school cafeteria cooks, 100 professionals from all corners of the culinary world have been rounded up for a massive cooking showdown.

“It is a battle between the haves and have-nots,” producer Kim Hak-min said during the show’s press conference at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Wednesday. “The famous chefs don white, while the underdogs wear black.”

A scene from Netflix Korea's upcoming cooking survival "Culinary Class Wars" [NETFLIX KOREA]

On the white side are some of the country’s most established restaurateurs, including the owner and chef of innovative fine dining restaurant Choi Dot, Choi Hyun-seok, veteran Taiwanese chef in Korea Lu Ching Lai and Italian Michelin-starred chef and YouTuber Fabrizio Ferrari. Other interesting names are North Korean cuisine expert Choi Ji-hyung, owner and chef of Michelin-star restaurant Yun Seoul, Kim Do-yun, and the owner-chef of Michelin-star restaurant Evett, Joseph Lidgerwood.

For many of them, appearing on the show meant putting their careers on the line and even, having more to lose than to gain personally. But Kim said that they all seemingly agreed to participate under a single goal: to further the progress of the Korean dining scene.

Restauranteur Paik Jong-won as a judge in a scene of "Culinary Class Wars" [NETFLIX KOREA]

“Quite amazingly, they all said that they would do the show because they really wanted to support the food business in Korea,” Kim said. “I sensed a common responsibility in them.”

The judging panel, F&B businessman Paik Jong-won and chef Ahn Sung-jae, said they felt similarly.

The appearance of Ahn, the owner-chef of Korea’s only three-star Michelin restaurant, Mosu, is particularly notable, as he hasn’t been an active public figure until now, as opposed to Paik who has been on a slew of food-related television programs and YouTube videos, including his own channel.

Chef Ahn Sung-jae speaks to the press about "Culinary Class Wars" at the press conference for the show at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Wednesday. [NETFLIX KOREA]

“I always think deeply about ways that I can contribute in my position, and after discussions with the show’s creators, I felt assured that this program would positively impact Korea’s gastro culture,” Ahn said.

He added that he had great respect for all the participants. “It's in the show's nature that we have to pick a winner, but there are no losers. It takes immense bravery to appear on the show, and everyone should be very proud of themselves.”

For Paik, “Culinary Class Wars” was a humbling experience.

“I thought I knew everything there was to know about the local scene but I witnessed so many talented individuals and tasted new foods, sometimes cooked by people who don’t even own a restaurant!

“I joined the show thinking it would be fun, but I met some profound thinkers and cooks and left incredibly humbled and surprised.”

The first four episodes of the 12-part series are slated for release on Sept. 17. Subsequent episodes will be released on Netflix every Tuesday through Oct. 8.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]