ReviewBlack Spoon challengers raise the bar in 'Culinary Class Wars' Season 2

White Spoon chefs with white uniforms and Black Spoon chefs with black uniforms stand facing each other in a scene from Netflix cooking show “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2. Courtesy of Netflix

Netflix’s culinary showdown show “Culinary Class Wars” is back with a new twist, raising the stakes as this year’s Black Spoon challengers bring top-tier credentials to the kitchen. No longer just an underdog story, the latest episodes highlight a razor-thin gap in skill between established chefs and rising stars, adding new tension and unpredictability to the competition.

Following the release of the first three episodes on Dec. 16 and episodes 4 through 7 on Tuesday, the second season quickly climbed the streaming charts while shifting the dynamics of the culinary battle between elite "White Spoon" and challenger "Black Spoon" chefs.

As in the previous season, Black Spoon cooks are introduced by their nicknames, maintaining tension through matches against the White Spoon chefs. But the most defining characteristic of this season is the narrowed skill gap.

A scene from the Netflix cooking show “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2 / Courtesy of Netflix

In the previous season, the narrative often focused on dramatic underdog stories and featured hidden masters from humble backgrounds such as Master of School Meals.

However, the Black Spoon lineup in Season 2 features more recognizable names. Many of the contestants are already established figures with successful restaurants, leading viewers to observe that their skill levels rival — and in some cases match — the White Spoon chefs.

Chef "Culinary Monster" in a scene from Netflix cooking show “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2 / Courtesy of Netflix

The higher skill level of the challengers changes the dynamics of the competition. It is no longer a simple fight between an underdog and a master, but a battle between top experts, making it harder to predict the results.

The production team also introduced new twists to keep the format fresh. The first three episodes introduced the "Hidden White Spoon" rule, bringing back Season 1 White Spoon contestants Kim Do-yun and Choi Kang-rok under tougher conditions. To advance, they had to earn unanimous approval from judges Paik Jong-won and Anh Sung-jae, stripping away their advantage.

Chef Im Seong-keun in a scene from the Netflix show “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2 / Courtesy of Netflix

Episodes 4 through 7 focus on team battles with all-or-nothing rules, eliminating the entire losing team. This format puts the chefs under extra pressure, highlighting the ability to work together in a busy kitchen.

Viewers have also praised the cast's chemistry. The White Spoon lineup features familiar faces from the popular JTBC cooking show “Chef & My Fridge,” including Son Jong-won, Sam Kim and Jung Ho-young. Their interactions add fun, helping to balance the tension.

The participation of respected masters, such as temple cuisine master Ven. Seonjae, Chinese cuisine authority Hou Deok-juk and French cuisine expert Park Hyo-nam, adds depth to the program.

Paik Jong-won, left, and Anh Sung-jae, judges on the Netflix cooking show “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2, wear eye masks for a blind tasting. Courtesy of Netflix

Despite recent controversies surrounding Paik and his businesses, the show successfully keeps the spotlight on the chefs’ skills and stories, steering clear of distractions and keeping the audience engaged.

The show’s production quality has also improved, with stronger storytelling and more visually engaging scenes.

The fast-paced editing efficiently narrows 80 contestants down without slowing the story. Some viewers, however, expressed disappointment that many Black Spoon chefs were quickly eliminated and received little screen time. To address this, Netflix Korea’s YouTube channel offers exclusive clips spotlighting Black Spoon chefs who advanced but didn’t get much focus in the main episodes.

One of the most striking visuals this season is a sequence that uses a map of Korea to highlight the origins of featured local ingredients. This design helped viewers understand the regional diversity and culinary importance of specialties such as quail and sea squirt.