![[Weekender] From underdogs to culinary stars: How ‘Culinary Class Wars’ brings cooks into highlight](https://i3.wp.com/res.heraldm.com/content/image/2024/10/17/20241017050820_0.jpg?w=860&resize=860,0&ssl=1 "[Weekender] From underdogs to culinary stars: How ‘Culinary Class Wars’ brings cooks into highlight")
On the second flooring of a modest constructing in Seoul’s Songpa-gu, a hidden gem of a Chinese language restaurant awaits: Jokwang 201.
Beforehand recognized amongst meals lovers for its daring dishes like marasyanggwo, maratang and soy sauce-braised pork stomach, also called dongpayuk, the restaurant has just lately attracted broader consideration after its proprietor, Jo Kwang-ho, appeared on Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars” as a chef on the black workforce, referred to in Korea as “the black spoons.”
The black spoon title displays Jo’s unconventional path to cooking: educating himself by means of comedian books fairly than formal culinary coaching or working in skilled restaurant kitchens. His nickname, “Manjjitnam” which interprets to “a person torn out of a comic book guide,” displays this background. On the present, Jo impressed the judges, particularly along with his signature dish, dongpayuk, getting his restaurant into the highlight.
In distinction, Jung Ji-sun, head chef of acclaimed Chinese language restaurant Tian Mi Mi in Seoul’s Gangnam-gu, entered the present as a chef on the white workforce. With years of expertise as an govt chef and formal coaching in China, Jung represents the well-established aspect of the present.
This distinction between the black and white groups’ cooks is the central theme of “Culinary Class Wars.” In contrast to different cooking exhibits, it divides the cooks into two teams: the black workforce, with cooks like Jo, who’re proficient however comparatively unknown, and the white workforce, with cooks like Jung, who’re already well-established and well-known within the culinary world.
The present’s format permits these lesser-known cooks to problem their extra well-known counterparts, competing in a collection of intense cooking battles with two well-known judges main the competitors: meals enterprise tycoon Paik Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae, a Michelin three-star chef recognized for his refined palate and sharp critiques.
In keeping with Netflix, “Culinary Class Wars” achieved almost 100 million viewing hours inside simply three weeks of airing and secured a spot within the platform’s world high 10, sparking curiosity amongst native viewers in regards to the eating places owned by the cooks featured on the present.
Kwon Hye-jung, in her 30s, was among the many folks ready in line outdoors Andongjip, a small eatery within the basement of Gyeongdong Market in central Seoul. The restaurant’s chef, Kim Mi-ryung, appeared on “Culinary Class Wars” as a black workforce chef. Andongjip is understood for its easy, homestyle dishes like noodles and baechu-jeon, or napa cabbage pancakes.
“I got here right here after watching ‘Culinary Class Wars.’ The white workforce cooks have been already acquainted from TV exhibits, however I discovered myself rooting for the underdog black workforce cooks,” Kwon mentioned. “I used to be upset when Kim was eradicated, however I wished to assist her by visiting her restaurant.”
The restaurant, which had quietly served its native regulars for years, has just lately seen a pointy rise in prospects from different areas. “We’ve all the time had our regulars,” mentioned a workers member, “however now we see quite a lot of new faces, lots of them saying they got here as a result of they noticed us on the present.”
The assist for black workforce cooks like Kim additionally coincided with the present’s ultimate end result.
Within the ultimate spherical of the competition, Kwon Sung-jun, 29, representing the black workforce cooks, defeated 52-year-old Korean American chef Edward Lee, a white workforce contestant, along with his Piedmontese-style lamb. Kwon is understood for having developed a deep ardour for cooking after watching Gordon Ramsay movies on YouTube and later coaching in Italy.
Because the present’s reputation grew, Kwon’s restaurant, Through Toledo Pasta Bar, grew to become a extremely sought-after eating spot. Identified for its wonderful eating expertise, the restaurant options multicourse meals with handmade pastas, risottos and a fastidiously curated choice of Italian wines.
Priced at 89,000 received ($65.30) per individual, the restaurant now requires advance reservations solely by means of the CatchTable app. The surge in demand even led to reservation scalping, prompting Kwon to implement stricter insurance policies, together with completely banning these caught making an attempt to reselling their reservation.
For the present’s reputation, Lee Eun-hee, professor of client economics at Inha College, famous that the way in which viewers related with the cooks’ tales was partly a big issue.
“The general public has seemingly been deeply moved by seeing the black workforce cooks succeed, particularly as they confronted extra established cooks,” she mentioned. “It’s nice to see them gaining the popularity they deserve, and it’s even higher to see their eating places thriving consequently.”
Using excessive on the success of the primary season, Netflix has already confirmed {that a} second season of “Culinary Class Wars” will likely be filmed, with plans to launch it in late 2025.
