Love to watch cooking competitions? See a K-Food cookoff at South Seattle College!

This week, students in South Seattle College‘s Culinary and Pastry Arts program are in a unique competition – and you’re invited to come watch the finals! Here’s the announcement from SSC (a longtime WSB sponsor):

(SSC photo from earlier competition)

The heat in the kitchen is rising at South Seattle College. Five teams of Culinary and Pastry Arts student chefs have earned a spot in the finals of the 2026 K-Seafood Hansang Cooking Competition, and the public is invited to watch them cook Korean food, compete, and learn from chefs connected to Netflix’s hit series Culinary Class Wars. The competition is sponsored by CJ CheiljJedang, a global food company based in Korea, as part of their Cuisine.K project to discover and cultivate chefs specializing in Korean cuisine.

The finals take place Thursday, November 5, with judging starting at 10:30 am as the five teams go head-to-head for cash prizes. The judging panel includes chefs who have competed on Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, SSC Chef Instructors and CJ CheilJedang representatives.

Not one dish. A whole table
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Hansang (한상) means a full table, or a complete meal served together. Instead of one showstopper plate, each three-person team must build a balanced Korean meal where rice, soup, side dishes, proteins, and vegetables work in harmony. Every menu must feature three Korean seafood staples: frozen oysters, dried anchovies, and seaweed.

“In Korean food culture, it’s not just about one main dish. It’s about creating balance and harmony between rice, soup, side dishes, proteins, vegetables, and different flavors and textures,” said MoonKu Jun, South Seattle Culinary and Pastry Arts instructor and organizer of the competition.

Jun says the judges will weigh creativity and teamwork as heavily as technical skill. “I want them to understand the ingredients, Korean flavors, and the idea behind Hansang, and then bring their own creativity and culinary background into the final presentation.”

That means every finalist table will look different. Visitors will see how each team blends Korean tradition with its own culinary roots, from first chop to final presentation.

Meet the finalists

Beyond The Tide – Michael, Harmandeep, Daniela
Two Roots – Spencer, Mya, Trevor
Little Red Wagon – Lilly, Rachael, Will
Seoul Sisters – Foziya, Deeqa, Shreya
Kimchi Smosas – Noelle, Andrea, Adrian

What’s on the line

1st Place: $1,000 + CJ CheilJedang Certificate
2nd Place: $300 + CJ CheilJedang Certificate
3rd Place: $100 + CJ CheilJedang Certificate

Plan your visit

Final competition: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 10:30 am to 2:00 pm
Where: South Seattle College, Culinary Arts Building, 6000 16th Avenue SW. “CAB” on the campus map.
Cost: Free and open to the public

Come for the competition, stay for the inspiration, and cheer on South Seattle College’s next generation of chefs.

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