Who won Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars? Finale recap and more explored

The much-anticipated finale of Netflix Korea’s Culinary Class Wars, released on October 8, 2024. The show crowned Kwon Sung-jun, known as Napoli Matfia, as the ultimate winner. Kwon, a Black Spoon Chef, triumphed over White Spoon Chef Edward Lee in the final face-off, taking home the grand prize of 300 million KRW.

Culinary Class Wars received worldwide attention for its unique format and fierce challenges. The show topped the non-English series chart and gained popularity among food lovers globally.

The final episode opened with former contestants returning to support the two finalists. Both chefs were set up at separate kitchen stations as they prepared for the ultimate cooking battle.

Fans eagerly awaited the head-to-head contest between Edward Lee and Kwon Sung-jun, the first finalist to secure his spot after skipping the "Infinite Cooking Hell Mission" in the semi-final. The winner of this last battle of the Culinary Class Wars would take home the coveted title of champion and a prize of 300 million KRW.

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Final Showdown Recap: The Ultimate Battle in the Culinary Class Wars Finale

The semi-final battle of the Culinary Class Wars was the "Infinite Cooking Hell Mission." The competition would conclude only if both judges reached a unanimous decision. In the event they disagreed, a rematch would take place. This posed a challenge, as the two judges had differing approaches to evaluating the dishes.

Following this mission, Chef Edward Lee reached the finale. He joined Kwon Sung-jun, who had previously qualified for the finals and skipped the semi-final mission. The final episodes, 11 and 12, began with both chefs stepping into the kitchen for their last challenge, 'Name-on-the-line Dish.'

Each finalist was tasked with crafting a dish that not only showcased their culinary skills but also reflected their personal story. Edward Lee took a bold approach by transforming the Korean dish tteokbokki into a dessert. He created a semifreddo using rice cakes, whipped cream, and Italian meringue, paired with a gochujang caramel for a modern Korean twist.

To complement his dish, Lee served a drink made from Korean melon, minari, and makgeolli while sharing a personal note to the judges about his connection to Korean cuisine.

On the other hand, Kwon Sung-jun played to his strengths by creating 'Pistachio Lamb Ribs with Lamb Heart and Wild Mushrooms.' His dish symbolized putting his "heart on the line," tying into the theme of the final challenge. He served it with a vintage 1995 Barolo wine, representing his birth year, and even incorporated the wine into his sauce.

After the judges, Chef Paik Jong-won and Michelin-star Chef Ahn Sung-jae, tasted the dishes, they unanimously declared Kwon Sung-jun the winner of Culinary Class Wars. Kwon Sung-jun secured the title and the grand prize, concluding the season of Culinary Class Wars.