The second season of Netflix’s hit cooking competition Culinary Class Wars is here, and it has quickly given fans a new favorite. While the show features many talented chefs, one name consistently rises to the top of conversations: Chef Son Jong-won. His combination of expert skill, genuine personality, and high-profile background has captured the global audience’s attention, making him a central figure in the new season’s success.
The season premiered on December 16, 2025, with new episodes released weekly. The format remains intense, pitting 20 elite “White Spoon” chefs against 80 up-and-coming “Black Spoon” challengers in high-stakes culinary battles for a prize of 300 million won (approximately $200,000). Despite off-screen controversies surrounding a main judge, the production team chose to keep the focus squarely on the cooking, a decision that appears to be paying off with viewers.
Who Is Chef Son Jong-won?
Chef Son Jong-won is not a newcomer to the spotlight, but Culinary Class Wars Season 2 has introduced him to a massive global audience. He is a highly respected figure in the Korean culinary scene, known for his refined skills and his regular appearances on the popular Netflix series Chef & My Fridge. His established reputation made him a natural choice for the “White Spoon” elite team this season.
His appeal goes beyond his resume. In early reviews and audience reactions, Son is noted for his calm demeanor and clear expertise. Unlike the dramatic tension some competitors create, he projects a sense of assured mastery. This has made him incredibly relatable to viewers who admire quiet confidence. Even the winner of Season 1, Chef Kwoun Sung-jun, humorously expressed jealousy upon seeing Son Jong-won in the new season, commenting on his impressive skills and presence.
“์๋ฆฌ๋ ๊ทธ๋ ๊ณ , ์ฌ๋๋ ๊ทธ๋ ๊ณ ์๋ฆ๋ต๋ค” (“His cooking is beautiful, and so is he as a person”), said Season 1 winner Kwoun Sung-jun, adding with a laugh, “์์งํ ๋๋ฌด ์ ๋๊ฐ์๋๊น ์ ๋์์ผ๋ฉด ํ๋คโฆ ๋ฒ์จ ์งํฌ ๋๋ค” (“Honestly, he’s so good I wish he hadn’t appearedโฆ I’m already jealous”).
What Makes This Season Different
Culinary Class Wars Season 2 builds on the successful foundation of the first season while introducing new elements to keep the competition fresh. The producers emphasized that their goal was to refine the show, not overhaul it completely.
“We concluded that changing for the sake of change could be poisonous. Instead, we focused on maintaining the elements people loved while refining the flaws,” explained producer Kim Hak-min during a press conference.
A major new twist is the introduction of two “Hidden White Spoons.” These are fan-favorite chefs from Season 1โChoi Kang-rok and Kim Do-yunโreturning for a second chance at victory. They face a stricter rule, needing to impress both main judges to advance past the first round, adding an extra layer of difficulty.
The season also boasts an even more impressive lineup of culinary masters among the White Spoons. The producers stated that the positive response to Season 1 gave them the courage to invite legends they previously thought were out of reach, such as temple cuisine master Venerable Sunjae and Chinese cuisine master Hou Deok-juk.
Standout Moments and Fan Reactions
While Son Jong-won is a major draw, the season is filled with compelling characters and dramatic moments. Early audience favorites among the Black Spoon challengers include Brewmaster Yun (Nara Yun), a tavern owner known for her homemade soju and relatable nerves, and French Papa, a chef whose moving story about cooking for his son has resonated deeply with viewers.
Another standout is veteran chef Lim Seong-geun. During a critical team battle in episodes 4-7, his confident declaration, “To tell a little lie, I know about 50,000 types of sauces,” created significant tension. After his team won, he took to social media to humorously thank his teammates, especially Master Hou Deok-juk, whom he said gave him great support.
“Who am I? A master of 50,000 types of sauces, the great Lim. Just kidding, I greatly benefited from the white spoon chefs I worked with,” Lim wrote online, showing his humorous and appreciative side after the episode aired.
The season has not been without controversy. Judge Paik Jong-won returned despite public scrutiny and legal issues related to his restaurant business. The show’s producers addressed this by stating the season was filmed before the controversies became widely publicized and that the focus remains purely on the cooking competition itself. This has led to mixed reactions, with some viewers debating his role online.
Also Read:
Global Release Schedule and How to Watch
Culinary Class Wars Season 2 is a global Netflix release, available with subtitles in multiple languages. The season is being released in weekly batches, with the finale set for January 13, 2026.
The release schedule is as follows:
- Episodes 1-3: Released on December 16, 2025
- Episodes 4-7: Released on December 23, 2025
- Episodes 8-10: Released on December 30, 2025
- Episodes 11-12: Released on January 6, 2026
- Episode 13 (Finale): Released on January 13, 2026
The show’s format continues to be a major draw. The initial rounds involve high-pressure signature dish challenges and intense one-on-one matches, where a Black Spoon chef can challenge a White Spoon of their choice. Later rounds introduce complex team battles, testing strategy and collaboration under tight deadlines and unpredictable ingredient challenges.
Also Read: Heated Rivalry Episode 6 Recap and Ending Explained: Love, Family and Future Plans
