Culinary Class Wars: Chef Edward Lee Shares Insights and Lessons from His Journey

On October 11th, Edward Lee shared an extensive message in English on his social media, starting with the phrase, “Where do I even start?”

He conveyed his appreciation, stating, “I am sincerely grateful for all the affection from individuals who have followed Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars during the last few weeks. Your comments and messages truly moved me. Though I can’t respond to everyone individually, please know that I have read every single one, and your kindness has left me feeling deeply touched.”

In discussing his journey as a Korean-American, he reflected, “Words can’t fully capture how it feels to connect with my roots and represent a vision of Korean gastronomy, especially since I spent much of my childhood distanced from Korean cultural influences. Your backing means the world to me.”

Edward Lee also expressed his appreciation for his fellow chefs, saying, “I want to thank all the chefs I had the honor to compete with. It has been an incredible journey, and I am fortunate to consider you all friends. Collaborating with the production team, directors, producers, editors, and the culinary staff was a true delight, and I will genuinely miss everyone.”

He continued, “Cooking in my home country and showcasing the richness and diversity of Korean cuisine has long been a dream of mine.”

Responding to comments about not having access to practice kitchens in Korea, Edward Lee noted, “Some observers commented that I had an unfair advantage for lacking a practice kitchen in Korea. But to me, what is a kitchen? During my time in Korea, I transformed my hotel room into a makeshift test kitchen at every opportunity. I purchased ingredients from local markets, drew inspiration from Korean dramas, and honed new culinary ideas. A kitchen isn’t solely defined by high-end tools or sophisticated ingredients; it’s where passion, love, and creativity merge. With merely a cutting board, a knife, and a sense of curiosity, any space can become a kitchen.”

He wrapped up by thanking everyone once again and encouraged everyone to embrace trying new things in the kitchen, regardless of their situation.

Meanwhile, Edward Lee, who showcased his culinary prowess on the American survival competition Iron Chef, successfully competed in the Korean show Culinary Class Wars, where he secured the runner-up position. His innovative approach and the narratives behind his dishes drew considerable attention.

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