Netflix’s hit cooking competition “Culinary Class Wars” is officially returning for a third season, and this time the show is changing everything.
Season 2 ended on January 13, 2026, with Chef Choi Kang Rok winning by a unanimous judges’ decision. Many viewers believed it was the perfect finale. The show had dominated Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV chart for nearly two years, and the story felt complete. Just three days later, Netflix proved otherwise.
On January 16, Netflix and Studio Slam confirmed that Culinary Class Wars 3 is already in the works, and it will introduce the biggest format change in the show’s history.
For the first two seasons, the series focused on individual competition. Famous “White Spoon” chefs faced off against unknown but talented “Black Spoon” chefs. Each contestant fought alone, and the winner took home a 300 million won prize, roughly 200,000 US dollars.
Culinary Class Wars Season 3 moves away from that idea completely. The new season will be a team competition. Instead of solo chefs, the show will feature four-person kitchen teams from the same restaurant. These teams will compete as a unit and turn the show into a battle between restaurants rather than individuals. Pride, teamwork, and reputation will now matter just as much as cooking skill.
Netflix opened recruitment on January 16 through Netflix Korea’s official social media channels. Only teams of four chefs who currently work together at the same restaurant can apply. The rules are strict, and individual applications are not allowed. Teams made up of friends from different restaurants will also be rejected.
However, restaurants with multiple branches are allowed to form a mixed team from their locations. The goal is to show real kitchen chemistry, not teams created just for television.
This change comes at a time when the show is stronger than ever. “Culinary Class Wars” has been one of Netflix’s most successful Korean variety programs worldwide. Experts say the show even helped boost global interest in Seoul’s food scene. Rather than repeating a winning formula, the production team chose to evolve.
Producer Kim Eun Ji and writer Mo Eun Seol from Studio Slam will return to lead Season 3. Kim thanked viewers around the world and said the team plans to deliver a new format that feels fresh while still living up to expectations.
Some details are still unknown. Netflix has not announced the release date for Season 3. It is also unclear whether the original judges, Michelin three-star chef Anh Sung Jae and restaurateur Paik Jong Won, will return.
