'Culinary Class Wars' judge Anh Sung-jae told to 'lose weight' before filming hit show

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'Culinary Class Wars' judge Anh Sung-jae told to 'lose weight' before filming hit show

Published: 21 Oct. 2024, 16:46 Updated: 21 Oct. 2024, 16:49

Chef Anh Sung-jae on JTBC’s live evening newscast, “Newsroom,” on Sunday [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Star chef Anh Sung-jae, who appeared as a judge on Netflix's hit cooking survival show “Culinary Class Wars,” captivated audiences with his serious attitude about food.

But appearing as main cast member on a hit show was a new challenge for him.

“The producer said I couldn't be on the show if I didn’t lose weight,” said Ahn, who appeared on the show after earning and maintaining the three-Michelin-star status of his restaurant Mosu Seoul.

“When I was offered to be on the show, I was pretty heavy,” he said when he appeared on JTBC’s live evening newscast, “Newsroom,” on Sunday night. “The producer’s words motivated me a little more to lose weight.”

Chef Anh Sung-jae at JTBC’s live evening newscast, “Newsroom,” on Sunday [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The 42-year-old chef became the subject of popular memes when he was caught smiling joyfully just before chef Choi Hyun-seok was eliminated during the show’s “cooking hell” mission, leading to suspicion that his rare smile demonstrated some animosity toward Choi.

“What’s circulating online is definitely not true,” Anh said, addressing the issue. “There were too many flavors in his dish, and it had a more complicated taste than expected, and I think I described the taste as 'tasty and interesting.'"

Anh, however, said he was particularly impressed by chef Jung Ji-sun, especially her basi (caramelized candied floss) using dried radish leaves, during her face-off with "Goddess of Chinese Cuisine." "I was shocked, thinking, ‘How could she come up with such an idea using dried radish?’"

Chef Jung ji-sun making Basi [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Anh served as a judge alongside Paik Jong-won, the owner of the franchise Theborn Korea and a celebrity chef. Anh initially described their dynamic as “not good.”

“My standards for evaluating dishes were different from Paik's,” he said. “But I thought this could bring different perspectives, as our viewpoints are not one-sided.”

Anh said they eventually became best friends, as Paik has been very kind to him. "Our conversations ultimately led me to respect Paik," he said. Anh emphasized that he “would not shy away from expressing his opinions in the future.”

Chef Anh Sung-jae, right, and Paik Jong-won, the owner of the franchise The Born Korea [NEWS1]

“Culinary Class Wars” first premiered on Sept. 17 and pit 100 contestants from diverse culinary backgrounds — ranging from Michelin-starred chefs to school cafeteria cooks — against each other in a massive studio capable of hosting 40 professionals cooking simultaneously. The cooking survival show gained global popularity, becoming the first Korean variety show to top Netflix’s global top 10 in the non-English TV series category for three consecutive weeks.

Following its massive popularity, the show is set to return for a second season, with a goal of releasing the show in the second half of next year.

But, the fine-dining chef was hesitant to confirm his participation in the sequel. Anh said, “How could I possibly join again if there are better judges and better chefs than me?”

Although Anh is a celebrated chef who has served numerous public figures, he noted that his most nerve-racking customers are his own children.

“When I cook for them, they often say, ‘It’s hard to tell,’” he said. “I feel the most pressure when preparing a dish for my kids.”

When asked if he's in charge of cooking in his family, he said he only cooks on special occasions, and his wife mostly cooks.

"I would be in big trouble if I judged the dishes my wife cooked for me," he said. "I wouldn't be able to sleep at home if I did."

Anh is currently focused on reopening his fine-dining restaurant, Mosu Seoul, which has been temporarily closed since January but is slated to reopen sometime next year.

But he also mentioned plans to find ways to share his culinary creations with more people in the future. “I now realize the importance of making food for a larger audience,” he said. "I will try to make it happen.”

BY CHAE HYE-SEON, WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]