I wanted a better title, but I kept it vague to avoid spoilers. The semi-finals of this season's Culinary Class Wars are split into 'Infinite Cooking Heaven' and 'Infinite Cooking Hell.'

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I found 'Infinite Cooking Heaven' so entertaining because the logic and intent behind this format were brilliant. While the producers might have just thought, 'Let’s let them have a fair fight,' it actually allowed the contestants to pull off various strategic moves.

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The key features of this round were: 1. Unlimited ingredients (including high-end ones) and techniques, 2. Plenty of time, and 3. Unlimited judging sessions within that time. Watching each contestant's strategy was a blast.

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Im-jjang, who’s super popular lately, went for the quantity strategy. Honestly, at this level, even one 'graze' is a critical hit, so it wasn't a bad plan. If his goal was to showcase the diversity of Korean cuisine, it was the perfect strategy for him.

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Deok-juk-ssi, who looks like she just wants to go home, brought out the luxury ingredients. It was bird's nest... I didn't even know that existed outside of 5-star hotels. (Maybe she was trying to nourish herself with fancy food to prep for 'Infinite Cooking Hell'? Just a theory lol).

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Then there's the strategy of trying to use every ingredient available. I lost count of how many things Cooking Monster used—lobster, shrimp, clams, etc. He crammed too many flavors in and they didn't harmonize, so he got roasted. Looking at his 2nd and 3rd dishes, it seems he realized this and ditched that strategy.