Most restaurant kitchens are loud enough without television cameras. Add bright studio lights, a live audience, celebrity judges, a mystery ingredient, and a countdown clock that somehow moves twice as fast as every other clock in the world, and it’s enough to rattle even experienced chefs.

Emma Eunbee Woods doesn’t seem to mind. The chef and co-owner of Whistle Pig Korean will return to Food Network this summer when she faces celebrity chef Bobby Flay on Beat Bobby Flay, airing August 11th. While the outcome remains under wraps until the episode airs, one thing is already certain: Bozeman will once again have someone worth cheering for on national television.

This is Woods’ third appearance on a major Food Network competition. She won a special all-Korean episode of Chopped and later finished as runner-up on Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Grocery Games. Each competition is different, but the pressure never really changes. “The most stressful part of the competition was time management,” Woods said. “In all of those cooking shows it seems like time moves so much faster than it really does. You’re constantly checking yourself to make sure you can get everything done.”

Unlike many television competitions, there isn’t much movie magic behind the scenes. When the clock starts, it stays running. “The time that is given is exactly the amount of time you have,” she says. “Once the timer starts, you just have to cook smart and fast.” That ability to stay calm under pressure has become part of Woods’ reputation, but it wasn’t the career she originally planned.

Born in Daegu, South Korea, Woods trained professionally as a chef on Cape Cod after leaving a career in banking. She later met her husband and business partner, Ross Franklin, while the two were teaching English in South Korea. Together, they opened Whistle Pig Korean in downtown Bozeman in 2014, introducing authentic Korean comfort food to a community that has since embraced it.

More than a decade later, the restaurant has become one of Bozeman’s recognizable local success stories. Longtime customers know the menu staples, while newcomers quickly learn that Whistle Pig isn’t trying to reinvent Korean food for television or social media. It simply serves the food Woods knows best.

Ironically, that straightforward approach is exactly what television producers continue to notice.”It is always a surprise when Food Network is interested in getting you on a show,” Woods says. “I’m always humbled and shocked that they would want me.”

Appearing on Beat Bobby Flay presented a different challenge than her previous competitions. Unlike Chopped or Guy’s Grocery Games, the show films before a live studio audience.

“Beat Bobby Flay is lots of fun because there is a live studio audience, so you get to feed off of their energy and excitement as well,” she says. Even so, the audience isn’t the biggest distraction. Contestants begin by facing another chef before earning the chance to cook against Bobby Flay himself. During that opening round, competitors are introduced to a mystery ingredient that can quickly change carefully planned strategies.

“The only real surprise is the mystery ‘star’ ingredient you must use during the first round,” says Woods. “The producers are very good at making sure you know how all the filming will work, so you just need to focus on cooking.”

“Viewers never get to see all the work the production crew does to keep everything organized and to keep the competitors motivated,” Woods says. “They are really the best cheerleaders throughout the entire competition.”

The competition may center on Bobby Flay, but Woods says that finally meeting one of Food Network’s biggest personalities was memorable in its own right. “Chef Bobby Flay has been an idol of mine since I was a kid growing up watching Food Network. Getting to meet him in person was surreal.”

Woods also came away with even more respect for his reputation. “He is a genuinely kind person and a fierce competitor. There’s a reason why he was an Iron Chef and considered one of the greatest competition cooking chefs in the world.”

Of course, television competitions are only a small part of Woods’ life. Most days she’s back in the kitchen at Whistle Pig, preparing the dishes that have built a loyal following over the past 12 years. While appearing on national television has certainly raised her profile, she says the experience has changed her more than it has changed the restaurant.

”These shows have helped me gain more confidence as a chef,” she says. “After competing, I’m always proud of myself for putting myself in a vulnerable place and cooking my food the way I want it.” That confidence has encouraged her to keep pushing herself creatively. “It’s made me want to explore and expand my own culinary world.”

Despite competing on some of television’s biggest stages, Woods still finds comfort in simple food once the workday is over. “My comfort food is probably a bacon cheeseburger,” she says with a laugh. “I normally eat Korean food for most of the week, but I love a messy burger at the end of a work week.”

Living in Montana has also influenced the ingredients she appreciates most.

“My favorite Montana ingredient is probably local beef,” she said. “We’re so fortunate to have amazing cattle ranches nearby.”
As Bozeman’s food scene continues to evolve, Woods knows she’s representing more than just her own restaurant whenever she competes nationally.

“I am always nervous representing Bozeman on national TV,” she says. “We have such a wonderful community and an amazing restaurant scene here. I want to do Bozeman proud and show the rest of the country that Bozeman can keep up with any major city’s food scene.”

As for what’s next, Woods isn’t closing the door on more competitions. “I’m very open to doing any other cooking competition shows,” she says. “I have such a great time challenging myself as a chef and getting to meet other chefs from around the country.” Until then, she’ll be doing what she’s always done: running a busy downtown restaurant, serving Korean comfort food, and waiting for Bozeman to see how her latest Food Network appearance unfolds.

Whether she walks away having beaten Bobby Flay is still a secret.

But for one August evening, much of Bozeman will probably be watching to find out.

Whistle Pig Korean is a chef-owned Korean restaurant located at 25 N Willson Ave, Ste A, in downtown Bozeman, Montana. Serving Authentic Korean food since 2014. Learn more at whistlepigkorean.com or follow @whistlepigkorean.