Black & White Chefs Review: A Culinary Battle Judged by Baek Jong-won and a Michelin Chef

Information about Netflix's variety show 'Culinary Class Wars'

Netflix's 'Culinary Class Wars' was initially titled 'Unknown Chef', it seems.

It's a variety show where 20 top star chefs, the 'Silver Spoon' (Baeksoojeo), who are already recognized, and 80 masters, the 'Black Spoon' (Heuksoojeo), known for their excellent taste, compete in cooking battles, showcasing their culinary skills. While the popularity of cooking shows has waned recently, this seems to be a promising and entertaining program. Notably, many restaurant owners participated, so it might be worth checking out some of those establishments out of curiosity.

The judges are 'Baek Jong-won', the CEO of Theborn Korea, which operates various Korean franchise restaurants, and 'Ahn Seong-jae', the owner chef of the Michelin 3-star restaurant 'Mosu' (currently closed, with plans to reopen in winter or early next year).

The first-place prize money is 300 million won.

Below is a list of individuals who appeared prominently among the 80 Black Spoon chefs.

Jangsa Genius, Jo CEO

Dish Cooked: Gyeongsangnam-do Style Bibimbap

Restaurant Name: Euljiro Jewel

Address:3rd Floor, 11-10, Mareunnae-ro, Jeodong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

Restaurant Notes: It operates on a 100% reservation system through Instagram.

Bibimbap King

Dish Cooked: Bibimbap

Restaurant Name: Jeonju Bibim Sounds

Address:88-21, Deokjin-dong 1-ga, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do

Seungwoo's Dad

Youtuber:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgsffS7MfKL6YU3r_U3E-aA

Imocase No. 1

Dish Cooked: Korean dishes served as a drinking set

Restaurant Name: Joyful Drinking Table

Address:341, Nohae-ro, Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul

Naples Mafia

Dish Cooked: Dining menu expressing Naples

Restaurant Name: Via Toledo Pasta Bar

Address:7-2, Wonhyoro83-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Crazy Cook

Dish Cooked: Dining

Restaurant Name: Dipin

Address:63, Heungin-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Restaurant Notes: It's best to make reservations through the Catch Table app! Wine bar

Chinese Cuisine Goddess

Dish Cooked: Dumplings with Dongpo Pork

Restaurant Name: Hongbo Gak

Address:130, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Notes: Chef Yeo Gyeong-rae, one of the 20 Silver Spoon chefs, is her mentor and they work together.

Man from a Comic Book

Dish Cooked: Dongpo Pork

Restaurant Name: Jogwang 101, Jogwang 201

Address:1st Floor, 8, Saemal-ro 10-gil, Jangji-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Yakitori King

Restaurant Name: Yakitori Mook

Address:97-5, Namyeong-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Ganghwi

Dish Cooked: Mapo Tofu, etc.

Restaurant Name: Edamame Namyeong

Address:1st Floor, 11-40, Hangangdaero76-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

One Two Three

Dish Cooked: Dining

Restaurant Name: Bonyeon

Address:7th Floor, Patio Nine, 742, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Notes: Michelin 1-star, 2-star, and 3-star alumni

Triple Star

Dish Cooked: Dining

Restaurant Name: Trid

Address:2nd Floor, 16, Seolleung-ro162-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Notes: Michelin 3-star Mosu alumni

Hidden Genius

Restaurant Name: Phono Buono

Address:2nd Floor, 8-7, Dosan-daero45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Meat Bully

Restaurant Name: Gunmong

Address:2nd Floor, 32, 729, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Kitchen Gangster

Restaurant Name: Now Namyeong

Address:23, Wonhyoro89-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Review

I found it amusing in episode 3 when Baek Jong-won asked if the participants' mouths were open while eating. It was also funny when he ate the bath (bath-shaped food). Overall, the show presented the food in a very appetizing way, and the chefs' efforts were clearly visible. Four episodes have aired so far, and I'm quite excited and curious about the remaining 8 episodes. I think it will receive high viewership ratings.

One More Thing!

It's said that Baek Jong-won and Ahn Seong-jae didn't get along well while serving as judges. There are some interesting stories about it, which you can see in the YouTube video below.