'King of Braising' Choi Gang-rok has become the final protagonist of Netflix's entertainment show 'Black and White Chef: Cooking Class War Season 2' (hereafter Black and White Chef 2). It was a trophy won after fierce competition.
In the final episode of 'Black and White Chef 2' released on the 6th, the final round featured the last two contestants, the silver spoon Choi Gang-rok and the black spoon 'Cooking Monster' (Lee Hak-seong). The final challenge theme was 'Cooking for Myself'. The chefs, who usually cook for others, were given the high-difficulty mission of completing a dish solely for themselves.
Choi Gang-rok, who joined as a returning contestant and sparked numerous discussions, faced off against the 'Cooking Monster', who had made a strong impact in every episode. After a close contest, Choi Gang-rok presented a menu featuring Tofu Soup and Soju, highlighting his unique delicacy. The result was a unanimous victory from the judges.
Choi Gang-rok surprised everyone on the final stage with the unexpected remark, "I'm a Braising Human, now I need to rest." He confessed that although he had earned nicknames related to braising, such as 'Braising Human' and 'Serial Braiser', he wanted to create a dish that would comfort himself in this final. He chose Tofu, which symbolizes his perseverance, as the main ingredient, completing a sincere stage that reassured himself after all the hard work.
In his victory speech, he humbly stated, "I am not someone who makes extraordinary food; I am just a person walking the same path as chefs who work quietly across the country." He added, "I will cherish the precious relationships I have made here and will not become arrogant, continuing to strive for excellence in food," receiving respectful applause from his fellow chefs.
'Black and White Chef 2' has gained explosive popularity, continuing from the previous season, depicting the class war between black spoon chefs who are hidden masters and white spoon star chefs who are trying to maintain their fame. Choi Gang-rok's victory this time goes beyond a simple win, showing the process of letting go of his trademark and finding his true self, resonating deeply with the viewers.
