Cooking Maniac and Self Made Chef Team Up with Baek Jong-won for New Culinary Show ‘Les Miserables’

On October 9, 2024, the South Korean news outlet OSEN reported that two contestants from the hit show Culinary Class Wars, Chef Im Tae-hoon, known as the ‘Self Made Chef,’ and Chef Yoon Nam-no, referred to as the ‘Cooking Maniac,’ are set to collaborate with the renowned celebrity chef Baek Jong-won in an upcoming entertainment series named Les Miserables. The show is currently under production and is slated to debut on ENA around mid-November 2024.

According to the report, both chefs, who garnered significant attention during their time on Culinary Class Wars, will join forces with Baek Jong-won, a prominent figure in the culinary world and the CEO of TheBorn Korea, to guide and mentor contestants.

This new series is being described as a “human transformation project,”where contestants will face Spartan-like missions intended to reshape their lives, all taking place in an expansive studio that has been converted from a vast, abandoned 40,000-pyeong factory.

Les Miserables aims to deliver an enthralling mix of compelling personalities and touching personal stories, with Baek Jong-won playing a key role in participant recruitment.

Essential Insights on Culinary Class Wars and the Chefs Joining Baek Jong-won

The first season of Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars concluded on October 8, 2024, captivating audiences around the world and establishing itself as a top-ranking non-English series on the platform. With gripping challenges, inventive culinary creations, and nail-biting eliminations, the competition kept food enthusiasts on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

A distinctive feature of the show was its innovative format. The competition divided 100 chefs into two distinct groups—20 elite professionals known as White Spoon chefs, and 80 burgeoning talents labeled as Black Spoon chefs—creating a vibrant rivalry between established culinary mastery and ambitious up-and-comers. The White Spoon chefs, comprising some of Korea’s finest culinary talent, strived to uphold their prestigious status, while the Black Spoon chefs fought vigorously to showcase their skills and ascend the ranks.

Chef Im Tae-hoon, affectionately referred to as the ‘Self Made Chef,’ emerged from humble beginnings to successfully operate his Chinese restaurant, winning viewers over during his journey. His memorable highlight in Culinary Class Wars was triumphing in a blind taste test against an experienced expert in Chinese cuisine.

Despite being eliminated eventually, he made a significant impact by volunteering for the elimination challenge, showcasing his determination and camaraderie.

Chef Yoon Nam-no, also known as the ‘Cooking Maniac,’ created a buzz throughout the season with his straightforward cooking style. He advanced to the semi-finals of Culinary Class Wars, showcasing his culinary talent by finishing in the top 8.

Recognized for his bold flavors and deep passion for culinary arts, Yoon operates the popular bistronomy venue ‘Deepin’ located in Seoul.

Both chefs are poised to leverage their extensive restaurant experience in Les Miserables, where they will serve as mentors for contestants seeking transformative changes in their lives.

As reported by OSEN, the production team is actively filming at local festivals and preparing for the eagerly awaited premiere.

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