Chef Ahn Sung-jae Reflects on the Success of Netflix’s ‘Culinary Class Wars’

Chef Ahn Sung-jae Reflects on the Success of Netflix’s ‘Culinary Class Wars’

21 October 2024 By Johnber

NewsTogether

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The culinary world is abuzz with the success of Netflix’s latest hit, Culinary Class Wars, a cooking competition that has captivated viewers around the world. In just its first week, the show topped Netflix’s Global Top 10 in the non-English TV category, marking a massive win for the platform and for the culinary arts as a whole. At the center of the show’s success is Chef Ahn Sung-jae, one of the judges who has brought not just his expertise, but also his passion and thoughtful approach to evaluating the contestants. In a recent interview, Chef Ahn reflected on what has made the show so successful and shared insights into his experience on Culinary Class Wars.

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A Surprise Hit

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Culinary Class Wars is a unique competition show featuring two groups of chefs: the “White Spoon” team, consisting of 20 renowned and seasoned chefs, and the “Black Spoon” team, made up of 80 less-established but equally ambitious chefs. Together, these chefs battle it out to showcase their skills, creativity, and determination in front of a global audience. The show’s format has clearly resonated with viewers, with its combination of high-stakes competition and the intimate stories of chefs striving for excellence.

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However, according to Chef Ahn Sung-jae, the success of the show wasn’t something that was expected. “This boom wasn’t anticipated or planned from the start,” Ahn explained. “As I observed the chefs around me and the state of the industry, I felt the need to inject something new and fresh.”

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Ahn’s role on the show isn’t just as a judge who samples the chefs’ dishes, but also as someone who delves into the motivations behind each chef’s cooking. He often asks the contestants why they entered the competition and what drives them in the kitchen, hoping to reveal not just the technical aspects of their work, but also the emotional and personal connections they have with food. His thoughtful approach has added depth to the show and brought out more meaningful stories from the chefs involved.

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Pride and Passion in the Kitchen

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One of the key elements that sets Culinary Class Wars apart from other cooking shows is the pride and persistence of the chefs. Ahn Sung-jae, who has built his career on his dedication to the culinary arts, shared that he wanted the show to be more than just entertainment. “As someone who takes food very seriously, I wanted the chefs to showcase their dedication and pride, rather than simply trying to entertain,” he said. “I hoped that through such an authentic portrayal, we could create a meaningful show that would contribute to the restaurant industry.”

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According to Ahn, the production team shared his vision, which helped bring the show to life in a way that resonated with viewers. “Thankfully, the production team understood and embraced my perspective,” he added, expressing his gratitude for the collaboration that allowed his vision to flourish.

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This focus on authenticity has struck a chord with audiences, who have praised the show for highlighting the hard work, creativity, and resilience that goes into being a chef. While the competition is intense, with contestants pushing themselves to their limits, the show also emphasizes the importance of passion and love for cooking, values that Chef Ahn holds dear.

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The Importance of Intentions

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One of the more unique aspects of Ahn Sung-jae’s judging style on Culinary Class Wars is his focus on the chefs’ intentions. Rather than simply tasting the food and delivering a verdict based purely on flavor, Ahn often asks the contestants what they were trying to achieve with their dish. “Everyone comes with their own unique flair, but the food must be delicious,” Ahn explained. “I asked for their intentions because I was looking for something more distinctive.”

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For Ahn, understanding a chef’s thought process is just as important as the final product. “No matter how experienced I am, it’s dangerous to think my judgment is absolute,” he said. “It didn’t feel fair to take one bite and decide whether a dish was good or bad without first hearing the chef’s vision. It’s only natural for me to ask about their intentions, as every dish is an expression of what a chef imagines and brings to life.”

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This approach has made Ahn Sung-jae a standout judge on the show. His deep respect for the craft of cooking and his desire to understand the motivations behind each dish make him both a mentor and an evaluator, creating a dynamic that viewers have found compelling.

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The Viral Impact

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In addition to the critical success of Culinary Class Wars, the show has also generated a wave of viral moments online, many of which feature Chef Ahn Sung-jae himself. When asked if he had seen the memes circulating on social media, Ahn laughed and admitted that they were hard to avoid. “Even if I didn’t want to, I saw them—people kept sending them to me!” he said, clearly amused by the attention.

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One particular meme that gained widespread popularity shows Ahn looking especially excited at the prospect of eliminating Chef Choi Hyun-seok, a contestant on the show. When asked about it, Ahn was quick to clarify the situation. “That’s the most unfair interpretation,” he said, laughing. “I wasn’t thinking that at all. It was my own affectionate way of expressing that the dish had a lot of different layers of flavor.”

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Ahn went on to praise Chef Choi Hyun-seok for his dedication and passion, noting that despite the lighthearted memes, the moment was a sincere recognition of Choi’s talents. “Wasn’t there a moment where Chef Choi Hyun-seok was smiling as he looked back? That was when I truly felt his passion—it was great and inspiring,” Ahn recalled, showing his admiration for his fellow chef.

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A Lasting Impact

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As Culinary Class Wars continues to dominate Netflix’s charts and inspire a new generation of chefs and food lovers, Chef Ahn Sung-jae remains grounded in his mission to elevate the culinary arts. His thoughtful approach to judging, combined with his deep respect for the chefs and their intentions, has set a new standard for cooking competition shows.

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Looking ahead, Ahn hopes that Culinary Class Wars will continue to make a positive impact on the industry and inspire chefs to pursue their passions with pride and dedication. “I wanted to create a meaningful show that would contribute to the restaurant industry,” he said, reflecting on the show’s success. Judging by the response from viewers and the culinary community, it’s clear that he has achieved just that.

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With its unique blend of high-stakes competition, heartfelt storytelling, and expert insights from Chef Ahn Sung-jae, Culinary Class Wars is more than just a cooking show—it’s a celebration of the art of cooking and the people who dedicate their lives to perfecting it.

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Keywords

 

1. anticipate: to expect or predict
2. inject: to introduce something new or different
3. unique: being the only one of its kind; distinctive
4. dedication: the quality of being committed to a task or purpose
5. authentic: genuine or real; not false
6. perspective: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something
7. collaboration: the action of working with someone to produce or create something
8. resilience: the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties
9. intentions: plans or aims that guide one’s actions
10. dangerous: able or likely to cause harm or injury
11. absolute: not qualified or diminished in any way; complete
12. dynamic: characterized by constant change or activity
13. viral: becoming very popular by being shared widely on the internet
14. affectionate: showing fondness or tenderness
15. inspire: to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something
16. admiration: respect and warm approval
17. elevate: to raise or lift something to a higher position
18. grounded: being realistic and sensible
19. pursue: to follow or chase in order to catch or achieve something
20. celebration: the action of marking an important event or occasion

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