Culinary Class Wars season 2 ‘Black spoon elimination round’ recap: Who survived and who got eliminated?

Netflix released the first three episodes of Culinary Class Wars season 2 on December 16. The launch marks the return of the high-pressure cooking competition, bringing together 100 chefs in a single arena. The show originally premiered in September 2024 and quickly gained global attention.

The format leans into a survival-style competition, raising the stakes with every round. Judging duties are led by restaurateur Paik Jong-won alongside Michelin three-star chef Ahn Sung-jae. The competition remains divided between two groups. 80 Black Spoon chefs, a group of lesser-known but highly trained contenders, enter.

They are set to face twenty White Spoon chefs with established reputations and media visibility. In Culinary Class Wars season 2's Black Spoon elimination round, 61 Black Spoon chefs were eliminated, leaving only 19 out of 80 to survive the challenge. Two White Spoon chefs were introduced, but only one managed to advance.

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Culinary Class Wars season 2 brief overview

Culinary Class Wars season 2 opens with the Black Spoon chefs introduced only by their chosen titles. Their real names stay hidden, with only the last surviving Black Spoon earns that reveal. One by one, they step in. French Papa arrives first. The Barbecue Lab Director follows. Dweji Gomtang in New York enters next, with Fan Master appearing after.

Culinary Class Wars season 2 (Image via X/@NetflixKR)

Other names include Chef Annyeong Bonjour, Seoul Mother, Trendsetter, Pasta Star, Five Star Kimchi Master, Witch with a Work, and many. Once all 80 Black Spoons gather, the White Spoons also make a dramatic entrance. Eighteen White Spoons are introduced next. These include:

1. Lee Jun
2. Son Jung-won
3. Kim Hee-eun
4. Shim Seung-chul
5. Kim Geon
6. Choi Yu-gang
7. Kim Sung-woon
8. Im Seong-eun
9. Jennie Walldén
10. Song Hoon
11. Raymon Kim
12. Sam Kim
13. Chun Sang-hyun
14. Lee Geum-hee
15. Park Hyo-nam
16. Venerable Sunjae
17. Hou Deok-juk
18. Jung Ho-young

With these revelations, two seats remain empty. Soon after, the Black Spoon Elimination Round begins. Only as many Black Spoons as White Spoons may survive. Advancement means earning the right to challenge them. The chefs enter the main kitchen while the White Spoons observe from above.

Judges Paik Jong-won and Anh Sung-jae also take their places. Each contestant must prepare the dish they trust most. The 80 participants are divided into two groups of 40. Each chef is allotted 100 minutes to complete their dish. Those who finish early are evaluated sooner. Once all judging seats are occupied, the round concludes immediately. Should any seats remain available, standby chefs are given an additional opportunity to participate.

Later, a horn sounds, and the floor begins to shift. Two new stations emerge, revealing hidden White Spoon chefs who join the competition. One is Choi Kang-rok, winner of MasterChef Korea season 2 and a braising expert. The other is Kim Do-hyun, a Michelin one-star Korean chef. The two chefs cook alongside the Black Spoon participants. During their judgment, both judges must approve each dish individually. One approval secures a single advancement, while approval from both judges increases the number of survivors.

The competition begins, and Brewmaster Yun is the first to advance. She presents a complete set, including handcrafted liquor, zucchini stew with salted shrimp, and boiled pork prepared with three head cuts. White Spoon chef Kim prepares perilla oil noodles made from Baekgang wheat, topped with salted roe, pyogo mushrooms, and jangjorim. Paik approves the dish, but Anh does not, resulting in his elimination.

Culinary Class Wars season 2 (Image via X/@NetflixKR)

Culinary Class Wars season 2's episode two continues the eliminations. Seoul Mother advances with a plate of Seoul specialties, including Neobiani, brisket radish soup, and cold spring greens. Dweji Gomtang in New York follows, serving a rich pork bone soup made with Berkshire K shoulder, and successfully survives. Three Star Killer is placed on hold after Anh deems the risotto excessive.

Little Tiger presents a selection of drinks and snacks inspired by coastal fennel and mountain herbs, and her set advances successfully. Chef Loner delivers a modern Korean juansang with drinks and advances. French Papa survives with bouillabaisse. Culinary Monster earns approval with spring green porridge finished with truffle.

Witch with a Wok advances using the Chinese dish Happy Family. Lab Director survives through his signature beef ribs barbecue. Rebellious Genius is placed on hold with the rabbit and liver dish. White Spoon chef Choi Kang-rok follows with braised freshwater eel, tofu, and vegetables. Both judges approve his plate.

Episode three of Culinary Class Wars season 2 pushes forward. Fan Master prepares Tokyo-style eel rice bowl and lands on hold. Knife Omakase presents a four-course knife-focused menu and also waits. Iron Arms advances with buckwheat noodles and chicken broth tsuyu. Trendsetter makes shrimp lasagna rolls and pauses in limbo. Annyeong Bonjour survives with lobster and kimchi bisque.

Perfect Match moves ahead with a lobster dish. Boss in the Kitchen advances using shrimp porridge with spring greens. The final participant earns survival by reworking classic Korean plates with a fresh angle. The final call follows as judges revisit the hold list. One by one, decisions are made. In this, Knife Omakase, Rebellious Genius, Fan Master, Trendsetter, and Three Star Killer earn the last available spots.

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The next two episodes of Culinary Class Wars season 2 will be released on December 23 on Netflix.

Edited by Shreya Jha