Top Hotel Executive Chefs Join 'Black & White Chefs 2'—A Prideful Culinary Face-Off
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Netflix’s culinary reality show 'Black & White Chefs: Cooking Class War 2' has reignited interest in fine dining as many contestants are former executive chefs (head chefs/executive kitchen directors) from Korea’s luxury hotels. Notable participants include Hoo Deok-juk (former Shilla Hotel executive), Park Hyo-nam (former Millennium Hilton executive who rose to be the first local executive chef despite losing a finger), and Lee Geum-hee (senior chef of Mayfield Hotel’s Korean restaurant and one of the first female executive chefs in a top Korean hotel). These chefs aren’t just TV personalities — they led hotel kitchens, managed costs and operations, and mentored new culinary leaders. The program highlights how hotel dining has become central to hotel branding and revenue, and underscores a shift toward chefs acting as both culinary creators and business leaders. Food analysts say the show’s spotlight on prestigious hotel chefs helps elevate respect for culinary careers and boosts public interest in cooking.
