In episode 10, released on December 30, 2025, the series narrowed down to its top seven contestants, including Yoon Joomo, Lim Sung-geun, Hoodeokjuk, Jung Ho-young, Seonjae Sunim, and Choi Kang-rok. The tension peaked as viewers were left on a cliffhanger, with only the final result between White Spoon Chef Son Jong-won and Black Spoon “Culinary Monster” yet to be revealed.
But fans weren’t left guessing for long.
A “major spoiler” surfaced across online communities shortly after, claiming that Culinary Monster had advanced to the finals—based on a sharp-eyed observation from episode 9. In a seemingly small but crucial detail, the name tag on Culinary Monster’s outfit reportedly displayed his real name, not his pseudonym. This immediately triggered fan theories, especially since a similar reveal occurred in season 1 with “Napoli Mafia,” whose real name only appeared after he had made the finals.
“Is this a production oversight or an intentional leak?” asked one user, while others speculated it could be a marketing ploy to stir buzz ahead of the finale. “Feels like Netflix is trying to manipulate the hype,” wrote another. Some defended the series, saying this might be a red herring designed to mislead viewers.
Still, the damage may already be done. Many fans expressed disappointment at what they view as a preventable error, with accusations of carelessness flying at the show’s production team.
Netflix has yet to issue an official statement regarding the controversy.
As anticipation builds, Culinary Class Wars Season 2 is set to air episodes 11 and 12 on January 6, 2026, with the final showdown scheduled for January 13. Whether the leak proves true or not, one thing is clear—the finale just got a lot more heated.
“They should’ve blurred the name tag if it was that revealing. Rookie mistake or brilliant strategy?” a fan commented—summarizing the divided opinions among the audience.
Sources: Daum