The official trailer for Culinary Class Wars Season 2 is here, setting the stage for a bigger and more intense battle in the kitchen. The hit Netflix cooking competition returns for its second season on December 16, 2025. The new preview confirms the comeback of judges Paik Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae, introduces a famous lineup of chefs, and hints at major surprises including new rules and the return of two masked contestants from the past. The show, which became a global sensation with its first season, promises even higher stakes as hidden culinary masters challenge Korea’s top celebrity chefs.
What The New Trailer Reveals About Season 2
Released by Netflix, the main trailer quickly shows that the core fight remains the same: skilled “Black Spoon” chefs, who are hidden talents, go up against the famous “White Spoon” masters. Judge Ahn Sung-jae sets a serious tone with a voiceover promise, saying, “This time, I’ll be more meticulous”. The brief but intense clips highlight the show’s signature blind tastings, where judges sample food without knowing who cooked it.
The biggest teases from the trailer are the announcement of new rules for the competition and the dramatic reveal of two mystery chefs. These returning contestants wear masks that are half black and half white. One of them is heard saying, “I guess I’m Mr. Do-over,” while an on-screen tagline declares they are “back for a second chance”. Their identities are kept secret, sparking immediate fan speculation online about which former competitors are getting a shot at redemption.
Meet the Famous White Spoon Chefs Competing
Season 2 features an impressive group of White Spoon chefs, all established experts with major reputations to defend. The trailer and Netflix promotional material have confirmed a star-studded list.
The lineup includes Lee Jun, a chef with two Michelin stars, and Son Jong-won, who holds one Michelin star each in Korean and Western cuisine. Bringing unique culinary traditions are Venerable Sunjae, recognized as Korea’s first master of Buddhist temple cuisine, and Hou Deok-juk, a veteran of Chinese cuisine with 57 years of experience.
They are joined by French cuisine legend Park Hyo-nam, who has 47 years in the kitchen, and Im Seong-keun, the winner of Hansik Battle Season 3. Familiar faces from other popular shows include MasterChef Korea Season 4 judge Song Hoon and the beloved chef trio from Chef & My Fridge: Jung Ho-young, Sam Kim, and Raymon Kim. Additional top-tier chefs like Chun Sang-hyun and Jennie Walldèn round out this formidable group.
The Black Spoons and Their Bold Mission
Opposing them are the Black Spoon challengers. True to the show’s format, these chefs are introduced only by dramatic nicknames that hint at their skills and personalities. The trailer reveals monikers like “Three-Star Killer,” “Seochon Prince,” “Culinary Monster,” and “Barbecue Lab Director”.
New names such as “Culinary Innovator” and “Wok Rider” suggest these cooks might bring unexpected styles and alliances to the competition. These chefs are the heart of the show’s drama—talented individuals largely unknown to the public, risking everything for a chance to defeat the most famous names in Korean cuisine. Producer Kim Eun-ji shared that for Season 2, many chefs who initially turned down an offer for the first season contacted the show after seeing its success.
The Popularity and Impact of Season 1
The excitement for the new season is built on the massive success of the first. Culinary Class Wars quickly became a phenomenon after its debut in September 2024. It made history as the first Korean unscripted series to top Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English) TV list for three weeks in a row. Its influence went beyond the screen, reportedly helping to bring new attention and customers to Seoul’s dining scene.
The show also ranked as “the most beloved series among Korean viewers” in a Gallup Korea survey in September 2024, a rare achievement for a streaming reality series. This overwhelming response led Netflix to renew the series for a second season on October 15, 2024, just a week after the Season 1 finale aired. The finale saw the Black Spoon chef known as “Napoli Matfia” win the grand prize of 300 million won (approximately $200,000) by defeating renowned White Spoon chef Edward Lee.
Fan Theories and What to Expect
The mystery of the two returning masked chefs has fans actively guessing on platforms like Reddit. Popular theories suggest the contestants could be popular White Spoon chefs from Season 1, such as Choi Kang-rok or Kim Do-yun. Some fans have even hoped for runner-up Edward Lee to return, though others think he might appear in a special judge role instead.
The production team has shared their own dream casting idea. Co-producers Kim Hak-min and Kim Eun-ji mentioned internationally famous chef Gordon Ramsay as their fantasy White Spoon contestant. While not confirmed for this season, it shows the scale of talent they aim to attract. Producer Kim Eun-ji emphasized the show’s philosophy, stating, “More important than editing are the ingredients. It is about the people and their stories and journeys on the show”.
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