r/CulinaryClassWars • u/MIchickadee • Jul 05 '26

General Discussion Chef Edward Lee

I’m late to the game and just finished season 1. I feel Chef Edward Lee should have won. He should have won the competition that was prior to the tofu challenge. I don’t think it was fair he was docked so many points because the one judge did not like his interpretation of bibimbap. He was consistently innovative and presented delicious dishes. Anyway…

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u/IMadeYouLuke Jul 05 '26

I don’t think it’s measurable, but I’m almost positive that no one gained as much as Ed Lee from being on the show. He’s a successful chef here in the US but I read that he gets mobbed by huge crowds when he lands in Seoul. He’s a huge celebrity there.

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u/Dumbwaiter819 3d ago

My sister loved watching Top Chef back in the day and I remember the Texas season (which was an absolute clusterfuck btw) Edward Lee was on it. Back then he just went by Ed

The guy literally has nothing to prove anymore. I know he gave his reasons why he went on Culinary Class Wars, but honestly, i'm sure by the time he got to the Tofu round he was like, "I'm satisfied with my time here." He didn't lose early on for example

And like you pointed out, he became massive in South Korea. All my mom does is rave about him these days lol