Shik-gaek

- Season 1

(2008)

Chef Oh grooms his two sons -- his adoptive son Sung Chan and his biological son Bong Soo -- in the art of culinary cooking while running his nationally renowned restaurant Woo Nam Jung, acclaimed for serving traditional Korean cuisine.

Much to Bong Soo's dismay, Chef Oh announces that the inheritor of his restaurant Woo Nam Jung will be determined by a series of cooking contests.

A North Korean diplomat's arrival at Woo Nam Jung places added stress to the kitchen staff. Meanwhile, Sung Chan, Bong Joo, and Min Woo are tasked with creating dishes that will suit the unique serving dishes that each are assigned.

The truth about Sung Chan's past strains Bong Joo and his adoptive brother's once-close relationship. Meanwhile, Jin Soo, the aspiring food critic, struggles with her new position at Woo Nam Jung.

Sung Chan's sudden departure from Woo Nam Jung causes Chef Oh to postpone the cooking competition. Meanwhile, a notoriously stringent food critic arrives at Woo Nam Jung.

As his new profession as a food peddler, Sung Chan embraces his new life of searching for the very best ingredients. He runs into a familiar acquaintance in Jin Soo while looking for the best snow crabs.

Sung Chan is reunited for a brief meeting with his brother Bong Soo. Chef Oh meanwhile becomes ill from heartache as he recalls when he first brought Sung Chan into his home.

An upcoming beef competition has both Sung Chan and Woo Nam Jung busy preparing for the event. Sung Chan looks for a famous butcher, who has been suffering a series of bad personal and professional fortune.

A band of thugs go after Sung Chan to bring him to a man interested in hiring him for his culinary background. Meanwhile, a butcher struggles to come to terms with his estranged daughter.

The beef competition brings together brothers Sung Chan and Bong Joo in a face-off that heightens the present tensions in their relationship. After an unexpected slip up, Sung Chan must find a replacement cow for the judging.

For the next rounds of the beef competition, the cow must be butchered. Jin Soo is tapped to be a replacement MC for a television broadcast of the event.

With the last round of the beef competition soon arriving, Sung Chan must prepare to cook the beef for service. Meanwhile, Seok Deong has quit Woo Nam Jung, having had enough with Min Woo's abuse.

Sung Chan, forever the perfectionist, searches for the choicest charcoal over which he will cook his beef. Bong Joo decides to cook on behalf of Woo Nam Jung during the competition, much to Min Woo's disappointment.

The beef competition has come its conclusion. Sung Chan returns to his former life peddling food while Bong Joo is named the successor of Woo Nam Jung.

Sung Chan and Jin Soo bond while helping an old woman prepare kimchi. Meanwhile, Bong Soo travels to Napa Valley with plans to serve wine along with the traditional Korean cuisine at Woo Nam Jung.

Jin Soo's article is published, and Woo Nam Jung falls into chaos as it tries to deal with the unexpected bad publicity. Sung Chan accompanies Jin Soo as she visits her mother.

Sung Chan is upset with Jin Soo's article. His confrontation results in a decision to terminate their friendship.

Joo Hee runs unexpectedly into Sung Chan while visiting Seok Dong. The pair rekindle their affections for one another during the trip.

Sung Chan attempts to resolve things with Joo Hee. They find themselves both on a fishing trip where Chef Oh and an old friend teach the two how to find and cook the best trout.

After his fallout with Joo Hee, Bong Joo confronts Sung Chan and must deal with the sudden change in taste of the Woo Nam Jung's kimchi.

Sung Chan finds himself engaging again with the operations of Woo Nam Jung. While he attempt to care for a heartbroken Joo Hee, he also reconciles with Jin Soo.

Bong Joo swallows his pride and begs Joo Hee's father for help when Woo Nam Jung finds itself at the mercy of a corporate takeover.

Chef Oh's death forces Bong Joo and Sung Chan to deal with their fallout. Woo Nam Jung future is at risk of losing its identity and traditions.

Brothers Sung Chan and Bong Joo work together to complete the final round of the competition and to save Woo Nam Jung's fate.