The show started with 100 contestants split into two groups: the White Spoon team, made up of 20 well-known professional chefs, and the Black Spoon team, featuring 80 lesser-known local restaurant owners and cooks. The competition was judged by famous restaurateur Paik Jong-won and South Korea’s only three-Michelin-star chef, Ahn Sung-jae.
Since its debut on September 17, Culinary Class Wars has topped Netflix’s global list of most-watched non-English shows for three weeks straight. After the final episodes aired, Kwon, 29, posted a selfie on Instagram with the runner-up, Edward Lee, a 52-year-old Korean-American chef based in the U.S.
Kwon, owner of Via Toledo Pasta Bar in Seoul, reflected on his journey in the competition, admitting he showed some arrogance but learned valuable lessons about humility from his fellow chefs. Despite his earlier bravado, he apologized for his comments during the final challenge, explaining that they were meant to motivate, not insult.
Lee responded with encouragement, saying, “Chef, you deserved the win. No apologies needed. Congratulations!”
Culinary Class Wars has become a global hit, even drawing in celebrity fans like BTS’ J-Hope. The show’s popularity is also boosting business for its contestants, with their restaurants seeing a surge in reservations.
