Culinary Class Wars

Culinary Class Wars gives viewers a staged battleground where eighty resourceful "Black Spoon" cooks line up against twenty elite "White Spoon" chefs, totaling one hundred competitors. Each episode sets tight, inventive culinary tests that push candidates to show speed, technique and distinctive flavor under pressure. Judges Paik Jong-won and Sung Anh evaluate plates while Nam Doh-hyeong provides voiceover hosting, and contestants like Roi Choi and Raymon Kim bring personal style into head-to-head matchups. The format emphasizes contrasts, letting lesser-known cooks prove inventive approaches as established chefs protect hard-earned reputations. Eliminations are driven by performance and audience reaction rather than manufactured plot, so the week-to-week results hinge on execution and adaptability.

Released in 2024, the reality series was created by Kim Hak-min, Kim Eun-ji and Mo Eun-seol. It blends cooking-show spectacle with social commentary, and features TV personalities and professional chefs across its judge and contestant lineup, airing weekly on South Korean television.

As of its initial run Culinary Class Wars has not received major industry awards. The show drew coverage from food and TV outlets, but there were no high-profile wins or national television award nominations reported for its first season.

The program quickly sparked online discussion by framing contests as a "Black Spoon versus White Spoon" dynamic, a shorthand viewers used when debating access and privilege in the culinary world. Social feeds amplified standout dishes and surprise performances, and fans circulated clips and reaction posts that kept particular rounds trending for days.

Audience and critic response has leaned positive, reflected in an 8.555/10 user rating from early reviewers. Commentary praised the clear judging standards and the show's attention to class, merit and creativity, noting how professionalism and scrappy inventiveness collide. Some reviews wanted deeper contestant backstories and tighter pacing, but many viewers enjoyed the contrast between polished technique and inventive resourcefulness.