On an early episode of Netflix’s cooking show “Culinary Class Wars,” judge Anh Sung-jae critiqued a contestant's dish, which featured handmade pastas and seafood adorned with flower petals. While praising the dish's overall presentation, he expressed discontent with the addition of flowers, stating, “I hate putting useless stuff on dishes just to make them look prettier.”
Mr. Anh, the chef and owner of Mosu, South Korea’s only three-star Michelin restaurant, has gained recognition as a discerning and forthright judge on the show, which showcases 100 contestants from various culinary backgrounds. The competition has been described as a blend of “Iron Chef” and “Survivor,” emphasizing a class struggle among contestants.
Initially lesser-known in South Korea, Mr. Anh has since become a prominent media figure, appearing in interviews, commercials, and even being parodied on local television. Joseph Lidgerwood, a fellow chef, remarked on Mr. Anh’s influence, declaring him “probably the most influential chef in Korea.”
Mr. Anh emigrated to the United States as a teenager and faced numerous challenges, including serving in Iraq as a U.S. Army soldier and working as a dishwasher to fund his culinary education. He eventually worked in prestigious kitchens, including the French Laundry and Benu, before opening his first restaurant, Mosu, in San Francisco in 2016. Despite initial skepticism about his pricing, Mosu earned a Michelin star shortly after its opening.
In 2017, Mr. Anh returned to South Korea and opened Mosu in Seoul. His restaurant quickly gained acclaim, earning three Michelin stars by 2023. Following a temporary closure announced in January, he indicated plans for a new restaurant with a partner that aligns more closely with his vision.
Initially, the producers of “Culinary Class Wars” sought to cast a different celebrity chef but were impressed by Mr. Anh's confidence and unique perspective on cooking. He insisted on maintaining respect for the contestants, refusing to allow their ridicule for entertainment purposes.
Mr. Anh's judging style is characterized by a rigorous attention to detail, as he takes time to understand the dishes presented to him. His high standards have led to some contestants being eliminated based on his critiques, as seen in a recent episode where he deemed a dish too salty without the accompaniment of rice, a staple in Korean cuisine.
“Culinary Class Wars” has become a significant success for Netflix, ranking as the top non-English show for several weeks and leading to a second season announcement, though Mr. Anh's participation remains uncertain.