Netflix variety show '흑백요리사: 요리 계급 전쟁2' has released visual editorial photos and comments from the TOP7 victors.
'Culinary Class Wars 2' heads into the final with only one episode left, and interest in the winner is intense. White Spoon Choi Kang-rok, who scored the highest in infinite cooking heaven, advanced directly to the final first, while in the last showdown of infinite cooking hell, it is drawing attention who between White Spoon Hou Deok-juk and Black Spoon the cooking monster will survive to face Choi Kang-rok in the final showdown. With great support for the final, Netflix released visual editorial photos of the TOP7 chefs to raise expectations.
Hou Deok-juk, who showed the dignity of a master of Chinese cuisine and made the final three, said, "Even now I think cooking is endless learning," and "I decided to challenge myself to pass on my cooking experience to juniors and at the same time learn from the energy and perspectives of young chefs."
He went on to emphasize, "Cooking is taking responsibility for a diner's day and body," and "making food that keeps the body and mind healthy, that is the essence of cooking as I see it." Through 'Culinary Class Wars,' Hou Deok-juk said, "Watching juniors quietly do their best in their positions reminded me of my original motivation and sense of responsibility toward cooking," and "I sincerely thank viewers around the world for showing warm interest in Chinese cuisine and my cooking. To repay this love, I will continue honest cooking, putting my name and philosophy into each bowl going forward."
Monk Seonjae, Korea's first master of temple food, said, "I wanted to share the wisdom embedded in Korean food with more people," and "our traditional food contains deep teachings in which choosing ingredients, how to make them and how to eat them become practice. Through 'Culinary Class Wars,' I decided to appear hoping that the wisdom of Korean food based on Buddhist compassion and the spirit of letting go would bring small realizations, empathy and warm sharing to viewers' everyday tables."
For Monk Seonjae, cooking is practice. He said, "I think food is not just about filling one person's stomach but the fruit of life across the universe gathered by causes and conditions," and "so cooking is conversing with those ingredients and the heart, and helping connect my life with those lives in between. What you cut, how you cook it and with what mind you place it on the table show the state of my practice. For me, cooking is not technique but a living meditation and prayer that inspects and refines my mind every moment," delivering a deep impression.
Monk Seonjae described everyone as practitioners in their own ways. "Watching many people on set give their all for the one dish they were responsible for, I felt that that dedication and focus are no different from the attitude of practice spoken of in Buddhism. I deeply learned that regardless of whether cooking is a profession or a hobby, the moment each person makes food with all their heart they are already on the path of practice," he said.
Monk Seonjae said, "I deeply thank everyone worldwide who loves 'Culinary Class Wars,'" adding, "food is a gift made by the lives of the whole universe coming together, and 'eating together' is a common language that links us all. Only when animals and plants, land and air and water—all life—are happy can we truly be happy. I hope that a meal on your table becomes food that saves myself, neighbors and nature together."
Im Seong-keun, who sparked a craze with 'All kinds of sauces,' said, "I wanted to let foreign countries know that not only fusion or Oat Korean cuisine but also traditional Korean food can be this diverse and spectacular," explaining his reason for challenging the show. For Im Seong-keun, cooking is his mother. He said, "During hungry times I worked learning Korean food because I wanted to give my parents plenty to eat, and while working I have spent my life learning and feeling my mother's hardships and touch of hand-cooked food."
Im Seong-keun said, "I was very glad and grateful that many young chefs cooking Korean food participated in season 2," adding, "I was thankful to be able to learn new stories and techniques of traditional Korean food through those young chefs." He said through 'Culinary Class Wars,' "Please remember that Im Seong-keun is a traditional Korean food expert in Korea and I thank everyone who supported and loved me. I will repay you with good food," expressing gratitude to viewers worldwide.
Jung Ho-young, Korea's leading Japanese cuisine star chef, said he decided to appear because, "while watching season 1 I immersed myself in each scene imagining what I would do in that situation and wanted to try it once." For Jung Ho-young, cooking is a lifelong companion. "It was a good opportunity to grow further both as a chef and mentally," he said, and added, "Thank you so much for all the love, and I will repay you with delicious food," expressing gratitude to viewers.
Choi Kang-rok, who reached the final after writing a drama of redemption, gave his characteristically unusual reason for appearing: "to recharge dopamine." Choi, who says cooking accounts for 52% of his life, quoted author Han Kang's "question" about what he learned from 'Culinary Class Wars,' saying, "The past chef Choi Kang-rok brings the present chef Choi Kang-rok to life," leaving a strong impression. He added, "If viewers' various interpretations and illusions about the characters in 'Culinary Class Wars' create even a small resonance, I will consider it a great honor and live accordingly."
Brewmaster Yun, who bridges tradition and modernity with her hand-crafted flavors, said, "As someone who brews traditional liquor and cooks, I wanted to show the diversity of Korean food culture," and "I applied to appear because I wanted to be remembered as a mother who keeps challenging herself." For Brewmaster Yun, cooking is respect for seasons, ingredients and diners exactly as they are. She said, "Watching other chefs up close made me want to do this great work longer and more seriously," and added, "I was moved to hear that people liked the Korean dishes and liquors I cooked and said they cried and laughed with me each time I survived. I too received great comfort and strength. I sincerely thank you," expressing gratitude.
The cooking monster, who made the final three, explained his reason for appearing: "I had many difficulties preparing to open a restaurant, and I wanted to test myself as a person through cooking." For the cooking monster, cooking started as fun but became more serious over time and became something that required study and effort. He said, "I feel I am now at a stage of starting anew," adding, "It is not as light as before, but it is not only a burden. I am curious what cooking will mean to me in this new chapter. I want to show more of myself through cooking going forward."
The cooking monster said, "Through 'Culinary Class Wars' I felt how many people, regardless of age or field, show passion and effort within the framework of cooking in their respective areas." He added, "I was able to focus solely on making food without other useless thoughts," and "unlike daily work of making food and giving guests experiences, in the special situation of a competition there was also a thrill in completing the missions given moment to moment," he said.
Finally, the cooking monster who earlier had his real-name name tag revealed due to an editing mistake before the TOP7 release and was embroiled in a fairness controversy for using 'Brown Bill Stock' sauce in the redemption round, whose somewhat arrogant attitude from his first appearance raised eyebrows, said, "I tried to show confidence so I would not be intimidated, which must have been uncomfortable for many, but I am grateful for a lot of support," and "I tried to prove myself with skill throughout filming. I will continue to work hard. Please show your support," he told viewers, thanking them.
On the 13th episode to be released on the 13th (Tuesday), 'Culinary Class Wars 2,' where underground masters 'Black Spoon' chefs try to overturn the class system with taste alone and Korea's top star 'White Spoon' chefs try to defend it, will produce a winner.
The final episode in which the last survivor and winner of 'Culinary Class Wars 2' will be born meets global viewers via Netflix on the 13th (Tuesday) at 5 p.m. local time. <
[Photo] Netflix
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