Ep 16. Episode 16

Jewel in the Palace season 1 episode 16, titled "Episode 16," follows the story of Jang Geum, a young girl who aspires to become a royal cook. As the only daughter of a convicted traitor, Jang Geum faces numerous obstacles and prejudices on her journey, but remains determined to fulfill her dreams.

In this episode, Jang Geum is given the task of making a dish for the queen's birthday banquet. She decides to create a dish called "honey fried chicken." However, she faces a setback when the queen's head cook, Lady Choi, insists on using a different recipe. Despite Lady Choi's objections, Jang Geum remains confident in her abilities and convinces Lady Choi to let her prepare the dish her way.

As Jang Geum works on the honey fried chicken, she receives unexpected help from Lady Han. Lady Han, who had previously shown animosity towards Jang Geum, begins to see her potential and lends a hand in preparing the dish. The two women bond over their shared love of cooking and work together to create a stunning meal.

Meanwhile, the king becomes ill after eating a dish prepared by Lady Choi. Jang Geum suspects that Lady Choi had used an expired ingredient in the dish and informs Lady Han of her suspicions. Lady Han confronts Lady Choi, who admits to her mistake and begs for forgiveness. Lady Han allows Lady Choi to redeem herself by helping Jang Geum prepare the honey fried chicken for the queen's banquet.

As the banquet approaches, Jang Geum and Lady Choi present their respective dishes to the queen. The queen is impressed with Jang Geum's honey fried chicken and awards her with a gold medal. Lady Choi, who sees Jang Geum's passion and talent for cooking, becomes humbled by her mistake and promises to work better in the future.

Overall, this episode showcases Jang Geum's determination to succeed despite the obstacles in her way. Her unwavering confidence and love for cooking inspire those around her, including Lady Han and Lady Choi. With her talent and passion, Jang Geum proves that she has what it takes to become a great cook and make her mark in the royal court.