Owner of a Restaurant Run by a Chef Who Appeared on Netflix's "The Black and White Chef" Faces Prison Sentence for Serving Non-Edible Ants

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The owner of a two-Michelin-star restaurant—run by a chef who appeared on the Netflix variety show *The Black and White Chef: War of the Culinary Classes*—has been sentenced to one year in prison by prosecutors for using ants that are not approved for human consumption in his dishes. Prosecutors also requested that the court impose a fine of 20 million won on the restaurants operating company, which was indicted on charges of violating the Food Sanitation Act.From April 2021 to January of last year, the restaurant served a sorbet containing approximately 40,000 ants as a dessert to about 10,000 customers. Under current law, ants are not included among the 10 species recognized as edible insects, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety confirmed this fact through social media and other channels before launching an investigation.During the trial, the defense admitted to the charges but explained that the sorbet was served only after customers were informed in advance of the use of ants and gave their consent. Representative A acknowledged failing to thoroughly verify the regulations and stated his intention to comply with relevant laws in the future.

The owner of a two-Michelin-star restaurant—run by a chef who appeared on the Netflix variety show *The Black and White Chef: War of the Culinary Classes*—has been sentenced to one year in prison by prosecutors for using ants that are not approved for human consumption in his dishes. Prosecutors also requested that the court impose a fine of 20 million won on the restaurant’s operating company, which was indicted on charges of violating the Food Sanitation Act.

From April 2021 to January of last year, the restaurant served a sorbet containing approximately 40,000 ants as a dessert to about 10,000 customers. Under current law, ants are not included among the 10 species recognized as edible insects, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety confirmed this fact through social media and other channels before launching an investigation.

During the trial, the defense admitted to the charges but explained that the sorbet was served only after customers were informed in advance of the use of ants and gave their consent. Representative A acknowledged failing to thoroughly verify the regulations and stated his intention to comply with relevant laws in the future.

Culinary Class Wars Chef Faces Prosecution

A Michelin-starred restaurant owner, known for appearing on the Netflix series Culinary Class Wars, is facing a one-year prison sentence request from prosecutors. The charges stem from the unauthorized use of ants in a dessert sorbet, which violates South Korea's Food Sanitation Act as ants are not currently recognized as edible insects.

Regulatory Compliance in Fine Dining

Between April 2021 and January 2024, the restaurant served approximately 10,000 customers a sorbet containing roughly 40,000 ants. While the defense noted that customers were informed and consented to the ingredient, the restaurant owner acknowledged a failure to fully verify local food safety regulations.