Chef Choi Kang-rok won after a second try on "Culinary Class Wars 2."
On Jan. 6 at 5 p.m., the Netflix variety show "Culinary Class Wars Season 2" revealed the final round between the last two, Choi Kang-rok and Culinary Monster (Lee Ha-sung).
The theme of the final round was "a dish for me." After cooking, the finalists tasted their dishes with the judges at the judges' table, and the final winner was decided by unanimous vote.
After being eliminated in season 1, Choi Kang-rok returned this season as a "Hidden Silver Spoon" and was the first to reach the final, while the Black Spoon Culinary Monster, who left a strong impression every episode, became the other finalist.
In the last showdown under the theme "a dish for me," Choi Kang-rok took the title with a broth dish featuring sesame tofu and soju. Culinary Monster presented sundae soup filled with childhood memories.
Choi Kang-rok said, "The braise guy needs a break now," and presented a broth dish that melted in his favorite ingredients and experiences. It conveyed that while chefs always cook for others, it is hard to make a dish just for oneself.
Choi Kang-rok said, "To be honest, I didn't want to do something this hard," and added, "Since we were given 90 minutes, I made sesame tofu as a self-check." For Choi, sesame tofu is a dish that taught the grit of "don't get lazy."
Choi Kang-rok said, "I'm a braise guy," noting that he once won a cooking survival show with a braised dish. After earning the nicknames "braise guy," "serial braiser," and "braisepink," Choi said, "I'm not good at braising, but I pretended to be; in truth I studied and worked hard, but there was a life I lived just to pretend."
Choi said, "I didn't want to braise even in a dish for me," adding, "I wanted to comfort myself. I've been pushing myself every day, and I've never even spent 90 seconds on a dish just for me. I wanted to try it in this virtual space."
Choi Kang-rok said, "I'm not someone who makes extraordinary food. I do the same work as the chefs who are working hard all over the country, hidden from view, and those who make food," adding, "I will take your words to heart, cherish the connections I made here, and live while thinking hard about food."
Choi Kang-rok also said, "I won't get conceited. I'm glad I tried again."