Top 8 reflect on the meaning of 'Culinary Class Wars' ahead of finale

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Top 8 reflect on the meaning of 'Culinary Class Wars' ahead of finale

Published: 07 Oct. 2024, 16:00 Updated: 07 Oct. 2024, 18:05

LEE JIAN
lee.jian@joongang.co.kr

The top eight chefs of Netflix Korea's "Culinary Class Wars" pose for photos during the show's press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Monday. From the left are Edward Lee, Scott Kang, Jung Ji-sun, Yoon Nam-no, Jang Ho-joon, Lee Mi-ryeong, Choi Hyun-seok and Kwon Seong-joon. [NETFLIX KOREA]

Netflix Korea's "Culinary Class Wars" may arguably be Korea's biggest show of the year. But for the eight semifinalists, personal fulfillment spoke louder than the show's fame, they told the press Monday.

“When I was offered a spot on the show, I was feeling drained of inspiration and a bit lost,” celebrity chef Choi Hyun-seok said at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in Mapo District, western Seoul. “I am a chef who constantly tries new things, and sometimes, that leads to negative reviews.

“But ‘Culinary Class Wars’ confirmed to me that I am walking the right path.”

Choi Hyun-seok speaks during the "Culinary Class Wars" press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Monday. [NETFLIX KOREA]

He added, “When I first received the offer, I assumed they wanted me as a judge, but they asked me to participate as a competitor. When I asked why, producer Kim Hak-min told me, ‘Chef, it is so much cooler if you join as a competitor.'"

Edward Lee, a Korean American celebrity chef based in Louisville, Kentucky and Washington, D.C., said the show made Korea “feel like home."

“Through the show, I was able to spend time in Korea and meet many Korean chefs," Lee said. "Korea is also like a home to me now. I’ve never felt that before. That is something very special to me.”

White Spoon chefs pose during the "Culinary Class Wars" press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Monday. From left are chefs Choi Hyun-seok, Jung Ji-sun, Jang Ho-joon and Edward Lee. [NEWS1]

For “Cooking Maniac” Yoon Nam-no, a fusion dining bar chef-owner, “Culinary Class Wars” was a chance to make his mother proud.

“I didn’t start cooking because I wanted to, but because my mother was diagnosed with cancer and she had me take over her naengmyeon [cold buckwheat noodle] eatery," he said. "She always felt sorry for that, and worried a lot.

“By coming on the show, I wanted to show and reassure her that I am doing well. My sister told me that my mother cried when she showed her the show.”

"Cooking Maniac" Yoon Nam-no, left, and Jang Ho-joon attend the "Culinary Class Wars" press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Monday. [NETFLIX KOREA]

Others were glad to have played a part in creating a spark in Korea’s stagnated dining scene.

“I think 'Culinary Class Wars' did ultimately have a positive impact on the restaurant scene,” Jung Ji-sun, Korea's representative Chinese cuisine chef, said. “I feel proud to have been part of it and learned so much.”

“I am really happy I could blow some life into the stagnated traditional markets. I see many more young people coming these days,” “Auntie Omakase #1” Lee Mi-ryeong said. She runs a vintage hansik (Korean food) restaurant inside Gyeongdong Market in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul.

"Auntie Omakase #1" Lee Mi-ryeong attends the "Culinary Class Wars" press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Monday. [NETFLIX KOREA]

“I’ve seen a large increase in reservations at my restaurant,” said up-and-coming fine dining owner-chef “Triple Star” Scott Kang.

"I'm mostly focused on my restaurant, so I feel like my life isn't really any different since the show's release, but I have gotten a lot more Instagram followers," said "Napoli Matfia" Kwong Seong-joon, pasta bar chef-owner.

"Triple Star" Scott Kang, left, and "Cooking Maniac" Yoon Nam-no pose together during the "Culinary Class Wars" press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Monday. [NEWS1]

"I did hesitate because I am chef-owner of restaurants, and I may lose the respect of my employees if I lost," said Jang Ho-joon, chef and CEO of Negi Company. "But all in all, I'm glad I decided to do it."

The show's co-producer Kim Eun-ji also relayed the responses from the two judges, Paik Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae. “Both have told me they are gratified that the show helped revitalize Korea’s restaurants," Kim said on behalf of the judges. "Like all of us, though, they didn’t expect it to be such a big hit.”

Netflix will release the last two episodes of "Culinary Class Wars" on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Update, Oct. 7: Added quote from Choi Hyun-seok.

Jang Ho-joon, left, and Edward Lee pose together during the "Culinary Class Wars" press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Monday. [NEWS1]

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