(Choi's Instagram)

Celebrity chef Choi Hyun-seok has left JTBC’s cooking show “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.”

He had not appeared on the program since April 17. JTBC confirmed his departure from the show Monday, saying the program’s staff did their best to keep Choi from leaving.

“Choi made the decision as he wanted to focus on his main occupation as a chef,” the staff said. Choi recently opened a restaurant in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The show will not be recruiting another chef to fill the vacancy.

While cooking on the show, Choi was known for his exaggerated movements, especially the way he sprinkled salt.

By Park Ju-young (jupark@heraldcorp.com)