Chef's Table

Last updated
Chef's Table
Chef's Table.jpg
Genre Documentary
Created by David Gelb
Directed by
Presented by
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons7 (+5 spin-offs)
No. of episodes52
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Danny O'Malley
  • Drew Palombi
  • Claire Dagress
  • John Henion
  • Michael Hilliard
Cinematography
Editors
  • Brad Grossman [1]
  • Jason Moll
  • Matt Mascia
  • Robinson Eng
  • Jay Garcia
  • Brianne Hunt
  • Brian Triebwasser
  • Hannah Tripp
  • Dante Pasquinelli
Production companies
  • Netflix
  • Boardwalk Pictures
  • Supper Club
  • FINCH
  • Itaca Films
Original release
Network Netflix
ReleaseApril 26, 2015 (2015-04-26) 
November 27, 2022 (2022-11-27)

Chef's Table is an American documentary series created by David Gelb [2] , which premiered on video streaming service Netflix on April 26, 2015. [3] The series takes viewers inside both the lives and kitchens of a variety of acclaimed and successful international chefs, [4] with each episode placing the spotlight on a single chef and exploring the unique lives, talents and passions which influence their style of cooking. The series has been nominated for and awarded a variety of awards, including 8 Emmy nominations. [5] Season 7 will be released on November 27th, 2024 and season 8 entitled "Legends" is planned to be released in 2025, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the show. [6]

Contents

Background

Each episode of the series focuses on a specific chef, and explores their personal philosophies and approach to cooking. [7] Creator David Gelb considers it a follow-up to his documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi . He teamed up with Brian McGinn to develop Chef's Table with Boardwalk Pictures and Netflix became interested in it. Both documentaries make use of cinematography and production techniques based on traditional filmmaking rather than reality television. [8]

Episodes

VolumeEpisodesOriginally released
1 6April 26, 2015 (2015-04-26)
2 6May 27, 2016 (2016-05-27)
France 4September 2, 2016 (2016-09-02)
3 6February 17, 2017 (2017-02-17)
4: Pastry 4April 13, 2018 (2018-04-13)
5 4September 28, 2018 (2018-09-28)
6 4February 22, 2019 (2019-02-22)
BBQ 4September 2, 2020 (2020-09-02)
Pizza 6September 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)
Noodles 4October 2, 2024 (2024-10-02)
7 4November 27, 2024 (2024-11-27)

Volume 1 (2015)

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
11 Massimo Bottura Osteria Francescana in Modena, ItalyDavid GelbApril 26, 2015 (2015-04-26)
22 Dan Barber Blue Hill Restaurant in New York City and Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills, New York), United StatesClay JeterApril 26, 2015 (2015-04-26)
33 Francis Mallmann Patagonia Sur in Buenos Aires, ArgentinaClay JeterApril 26, 2015 (2015-04-26)
44 Niki Nakayama n/naka in Los Angeles, United StatesAndrew FriedApril 26, 2015 (2015-04-26)
55 Ben Shewry Attica in Melbourne, AustraliaBrian McGinnApril 26, 2015 (2015-04-26)
66 Magnus Nilsson Fäviken in Järpen, SwedenBrian McGinnApril 26, 2015 (2015-04-26)

Volume 2 (2016)

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
71 Grant Achatz Alinea in Chicago, United StatesBrian McGinnMay 27, 2016 (2016-05-27)
82 Alex Atala D.O.M. in São Paulo, BrazilClay JeterMay 27, 2016 (2016-05-27)
93 Dominique Crenn Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, United StatesAndrew FriedMay 27, 2016 (2016-05-27)
104 Enrique Olvera Pujol in Mexico City, MexicoClay JeterMay 27, 2016 (2016-05-27)
115 Ana Roš Hiša Franko in Kobarid, SloveniaAbigail FullerMay 27, 2016 (2016-05-27)
126 Gaggan Anand Gaggan in Bangkok, ThailandDavid GelbMay 27, 2016 (2016-05-27)

Chef's Table: France (2016)

The first spin-off, titled Chef's Table: France premiered on September 1, 2016. [9]

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
131 Alain Passard L'Arpège in Paris, FranceDavid GelbSeptember 2, 2016 (2016-09-02)
142 Alexandre Couillon La Marine in Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, FranceClay JeterSeptember 2, 2016 (2016-09-02)
153 Adeline Grattard Yam’Tcha in Paris, FranceAndrew FriedSeptember 2, 2016 (2016-09-02)
164 Michel Troisgros La Maison Troisgros in Roanne, FranceDavid GelbSeptember 2, 2016 (2016-09-02)

Volume 3 (2017)

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
171 Jeong Kwan Chunjinam Hermitage at Baekyangsa in Jangseong County, South KoreaDavid GelbFebruary 17, 2017 (2017-02-17)
182Vladimir MukhinWhite Rabbit in Moscow, RussiaBrian McGinnFebruary 17, 2017 (2017-02-17)
193 Nancy Silverton Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, United StatesAndrew FriedFebruary 17, 2017 (2017-02-17)
204 Ivan Orkin Ivan Ramen in Tokyo, Japan closed in New York City, United StatesDavid GelbFebruary 17, 2017 (2017-02-17)
215 Tim Raue Restaurant Tim Raue in Berlin, GermanyAbigail FullerFebruary 17, 2017 (2017-02-17)
226 Virgilio Martínez Central in Lima, PeruClay JeterFebruary 17, 2017 (2017-02-17)

Volume 4: Pastry (2018)

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
231 Christina Tosi Milk Bar in New York City, United StatesAndrew FriedApril 13, 2018 (2018-04-13)
242 Corrado Assenza Caffè Sicilia in Noto, ItalyBrian McGinnApril 13, 2018 (2018-04-13)
253 Jordi Roca El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, SpainDavid GelbApril 13, 2018 (2018-04-13)
264 Will Goldfarb Room 4 Dessert in Ubud, IndonesiaBrian McGinnApril 13, 2018 (2018-04-13)

Volume 5 (2018)

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
271 Cristina Martinez South Philly Barbacoa in Philadelphia, United StatesAbigail FullerSeptember 28, 2018 (2018-09-28)
282Musa DağdevirenÇiya in Istanbul, TurkeyClay JeterSeptember 28, 2018 (2018-09-28)
293 Bo Songvisava Bo.lan in Bangkok, ThailandAndrew FriedSeptember 28, 2018 (2018-09-28)
304 Albert Adrià Tickets in Barcelona, SpainJim GoldblumSeptember 28, 2018 (2018-09-28)

Volume 6 (2019)

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
311 Mashama Bailey The Grey in Savannah, Georgia, United StatesAbigail FullerFebruary 22, 2019 (2019-02-22)
322 Dario Cecchini Solociccia in Panzano, Tuscany, ItalyJim GoldblumFebruary 22, 2019 (2019-02-22)
333 Asma Khan Darjeeling Express in London, United KingdomZia MandviwallaFebruary 22, 2019 (2019-02-22)
344 Sean Brock Husk in Charleston, South Carolina, United StatesClay JeterFebruary 22, 2019 (2019-02-22)

Chef's Table: BBQ (2020)

A second spin-off, titled Chef's Table: BBQ premiered on September 2, 2020. [10]

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
351 Tootsie Tomanetz Snow's BBQ in Lexington, Texas, United StatesZia MandviwallaSeptember 2, 2020 (2020-09-02)
362 Lennox Hastie Firedoor in Sydney, AustraliaBrian McGinnSeptember 2, 2020 (2020-09-02)
373 Rodney Scott Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ in Charleston, South Carolina, United StatesClay JeterSeptember 2, 2020 (2020-09-02)
384 Rosalia Chay Chuc Cochinita Pibil in Yaxuná, MexicoZia MandviwallaSeptember 2, 2020 (2020-09-02)

Chef's Table: Pizza (2022)

A third spin-off, titled Chef's Table: Pizza premiered on September 7, 2022. [11]

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
391 Chris Bianco Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesClay JeterSeptember 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)
402 Gabriele Bonci Pizzarium Bonci in Rome, ItalyBrian McGinnSeptember 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)
413 Ann Kim Pizzeria Lola in Minneapolis, United StatesZia MandviwallaSeptember 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)
424 Franco Pepe Pepe in Grani in Caiazzo, ItalyBrian McGinnSeptember 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)
435 Yoshihiro Imai Monk in Kyoto, JapanAbigail FullerSeptember 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)
446 Sarah Minnick Lovely's Fifty Fifty in Portland, Oregon, United StatesDanny O'MalleySeptember 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)

Chef's Table: Noodles (2024)

A fourth spin-off, titled Chef's Table: Noodles premiered on October 2, 2024. [12]

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
451 Evan Funke Funke in Los Angeles, United StatesBrian McGinnOctober 2, 2024 (2024-10-02)
462 Guirong Wei Master Wei in London, United KingdomClay JeterOctober 2, 2024 (2024-10-02)
473 Peppe Guida Antica Osteria Nonna Rosa in Sorrento, ItalyZia MandviwallaOctober 2, 2024 (2024-10-02)
484 Nite Yun Nyum Bai in Oakland, California, United StatesRayka ZehtabchiOctober 2, 2024 (2024-10-02)

Volume 7 (2024)

No.
overall
No. in
season
ChefRestaurantDirected byOriginal release date
491 Nok Suntaranon Kalaya in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesBrian McGinnNovember 27, 2024 (2024-11-27)
502 Kwame Onwuachi Tatiana By Kwame Onwuachi in New York City, New York, United StatesKevin Wilson, Jr.November 27, 2024 (2024-11-27)
513 Ángel León Aponiente in Cádiz, SpainBrian McGinnNovember 27, 2024 (2024-11-27)
524 Norma Listman and Saqib Keval Masala y Maíz and Marigold in Mexico City, MexicoDanny O'MalleyNovember 27, 2024 (2024-11-27)

Reception

The series has been well received since it aired in 2015 and has been praised for its cinematography, score, and production. [7] [13]

Chef's Table has been parodied numerous times. Gods of Food, which satirizes Chef's Table and the restaurant industry, was created Rekha Shankar for by the YouTube comedy channel CollegeHumor. [14] The IFC series Portlandia parodied the series in an episode about an airport sushi chef. [15]

Awards

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef
Season 1
2015 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) Duncan Thum for "Francis Mallmann"Nominated [16]
2015 International Documentary Association Awards Best Episodic SeriesChef's TableWon [17]
2016 James Beard Foundation Award Visual and Technical ExcellenceChef's TableWon [18]
Season 2
2016 MPSE Golden Reel Awards Best Sound Editing - Short Form Documentary in Television William McGuigan Nominated [19]
2016 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series Chef's TableNominated [16]
Outstanding Directing for a Nonfiction Program David Gelb for "Gaggan Anand"Nominated
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) Duncan Thum for "Grant Achatz"Nominated
2016 International Documentary Association Awards Best Episodic SeriesChef's TableNominated [20]
2017 James Beard Foundation Award Best Television Program, on LocationChef's TableWon [21]
Season 3
2017 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series Chef's TableNominated [22]
Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program Will Basanta for "Virgilio Martinez"Nominated
2018 James Beard Foundation Award Best Television Program, on Location"Jeong Kwan"Won [23]
Season 4
2018 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program Adam Bricker for "Corrado Assenza"Nominated [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacques Pépin</span> French-American chef

Jacques Pépin is a French chef, author, culinary educator, television personality, and artist. After having been the personal chef of French President Charles de Gaulle, he moved to the US in 1959 and after working in New York's top French restaurants, refused the same job with President John F. Kennedy in the White House and instead took a culinary development job with Howard Johnson's. During his career, he has served in numerous prestigious restaurants, first, in Paris, and then in America. He has appeared on American television and has written for The New York Times, Food & Wine and other publications. He has authored more than 30 cookbooks, some of which have become best sellers. Pépin was a longtime friend of the American chef Julia Child, and their 1999 PBS series Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home won a Daytime Emmy Award. He also holds a BA and a MA from Columbia University in French literature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Flay</span> American celebrity chef (born 1964)

Robert William Flay is an American celebrity chef, food writer, restaurateur, and television personality. Flay is the owner and executive chef of several restaurants and franchises, including Bobby's Burger Palace, Bobby's Burgers, and Amalfi. He has worked with Food Network since 1995, which won him four Daytime Emmy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lidia Bastianich</span> American celebrity chef (born 1947)

Lidia Giuliana Matticchio Bastianich is an Italian-American celebrity chef, television host, author, and restaurateur. Specializing in Italian and Italian-American cuisine, Bastianich has been a regular contributor to public television cooking shows since 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiffani Faison</span> American celebrity chef and restaurateur

Tiffani Faison is an American celebrity chef and restaurateur. She is based in Boston, has served as a judge on Food Network's television series Chopped, and is a four-time James Beard Award Finalist for Best Chef: Northeast. She was the winner of Season 3 of Tournament of Champions and was named Boston's Best Chef by Boston Magazine in 2022. She was one of two finalists on the first season of Bravo's reality show Top Chef, where she finished second to Harold Dieterle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alinea (restaurant)</span> Fine dining restaurant in Chicago, Illinois

Alinea is a restaurant in Chicago, Illinois, United States. In 2010, Alinea was awarded three stars by the Michelin Guide. Since the closing on December 20, 2017, of Grace, Alinea remains one of only two Chicago restaurants, with the other one being Smyth, added in 2023, with three Michelin stars. Alinea charges $175–225 for its second-floor salon menu, and $285–345 for its first floor gallery menu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Beard Foundation Award</span> Annual awards for culinary professionals in the US

The James Beard Foundation Awards are annual awards presented by the James Beard Foundation to recognize chefs, restaurateurs, authors and journalists in the United States. They are scheduled around James Beard's May 5 birthday. The media awards are presented at a dinner in New York City; the chef and restaurant awards were also presented in New York until 2015, when the foundation's annual gala moved to Chicago. Chicago will continue to host the Awards until 2027.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Fried</span> American film director

Andrew Fried is an American documentary filmmaker, producer and director, and the president of Boardwalk Pictures. Fried is known for producing documentary films and television series, such as Chef's Table, The Black Godfather, Last Chance U, 7 Days Out, My Love, Men in Kilts, Booktube, Street Food, Cheer, Val and The Goop Lab with Gwyneth Paltrow. He directed the 2020 documentary film We Are Freestyle Love Supreme.

Epic Meal Time is a Canadian YouTube cooking show known for creating extremely high-calorie meals, generally out of meat products and including alcohol. It debuted in October 2010, and since then has started to release an episode every Tuesday. It is hosted by Harley Morenstein and a group of his friends. They are now represented by The Gersh Agency and Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, and have signed with multi-channel network Collective Digital Studio. Epic Meal Time won the 2011 Shorty Award in the Food Category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Kenji López-Alt</span> American chef and food writer

James Kenji López-Alt is an American chef and food writer. His first book, The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science, became a critical and commercial success, charting on the New York Times Bestseller list and winning the 2016 James Beard Foundation Award for the best General Cooking cookbook. The cookbook expanded on López-Alt's "The Food Lab" column on the Serious Eats blog. López-Alt is known for using the scientific method in his cooking to improve popular American recipes and to explain the science of cooking.

David Gelb is an American director of film and television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pati Jinich</span> Mexican chef and author (born 1972)

Patricia Jinich is a Mexican chef, TV personality, cookbook author, educator, and food writer. She is best known for her James Beard Award-winning and Emmy-nominated public television series Pati's Mexican Table and her James Beard Award-winning PBS primetime docuseries La Frontera with Pati Jinich. Her first cookbook, also titled Pati's Mexican Table, was published in March 2013, her second cookbook, Mexican Today, was published in April 2016, and her third cookbook, Treasures of the Mexican Table, was published in November 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominique Crenn</span> French chef (born 1965)

Dominique Crenn is a French chef. As of 2016, she was the only female chef in the United States to attain three Michelin stars, for her restaurant Atelier Crenn, in San Francisco. Crenn has been featured in several Food Network and other television shows.

Ashley Christensen is an American chef, restaurateur, author, and culinary celebrity. She is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the chef + proprietor of AC Restaurants, a hospitality group that operates Poole's Diner, Fox Liquor Bar, Beasley's Chicken + Honey, Death & Taxes, Poole'side Pies, and AC Events. A two-time James Beard Award winner, she is widely credited for helping to put Raleigh's food scene on the map.

<i>Yum and Yummer</i> American food reality television series

Yum and Yummer is an American food reality television series that airs on Cooking Channel. The series is presented by chef Eddie Jackson. The series features Jackson showcasing indulgent food dishes from around the world.

<i>Selena + Chef</i> 2020 unscripted television series starring Selena Gomez

Selena + Chef is an American television cooking show hosted by Selena Gomez that premiered on HBO Max on August 13, 2020. The first season consists of 10 episodes. In August 2020, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on November 19, 2020, and continues into early 2021. In April 2021, the series was renewed for a third season which was released on October 28, 2021. In November 2021, the series was renewed for a fourth season which premiered on August 18, 2022. On October 2, 2023, it was announced that Gomez would return for a series of holiday specials entitled Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays that premiered on November 30, 2023 on Food Network. A spin-off, entitled Selena + Restaurant, premiered on May 2, 2024 on Food Network and follows Gomez as she attempts to create an original dish worthy of being on the restaurant's menu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ</span> Restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina

Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ is a barbecue restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. Specializing in pulled pork barbecue and owned by Rodney Scott and Nick Pihakis, it opened in February 2017.

The James Beard Foundation Awards are annual awards presented by the James Beard Foundation to recognize culinary professionals in the United States. The awards recognize chefs, restaurateurs, authors and journalists each year, and are generally scheduled around James Beard's May birthday.

The James Beard Foundation Awards are annual awards presented by the James Beard Foundation to recognize culinary professionals in the United States. The awards recognize chefs, restaurateurs, authors and journalists each year, and are generally scheduled around James Beard's May birthday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian McGinn</span> American director and producer

Brian McGinn is an American TV and film director, writer, producer and showrunner.

References

  1. "Chef's Table Full Cast and Crew". IMDB.com. IMDB. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  2. "David Gelb". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
  3. Chef's Table (Documentary), Boardwalk Pictures, City Room Creative, FINCH, 2015-04-26, retrieved 2021-11-28
  4. Chef's Table , retrieved 2021-11-28
  5. "Chef's Table". Television Academy. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
  6. "Hungry for More? Chef's Table Is Cooking Up Three New Seasons". Netflix.
  7. 1 2 Stein, Joshua David (2015-04-24). "TV Review: Netflix's 'Chef's Table' Digs Deep Into Creative Life". Eater. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  8. Marsh, Calum (2019-05-01). "How Chef's Table Turned Food TV Into Mouthwatering Art". Vulture. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  9. "Video: Netflix Releases Trailer for "Chef's Table: France"". The Futon Critic . September 1, 2016.
  10. "Video: "Chef's Table: BBQ" - Official Trailer - Netflix". The Futon Critic . August 17, 2020.
  11. "Netflix Announces Mouthwatering New Food Programming Including "Chef's Table: Pizza" Premiering September 7". The Futon Critic . August 19, 2022.
  12. "Netflix's "Chef's Table" Franchise Returns with Three New Seasons". The Futon Critic . September 4, 2024.
  13. Breheny, Emma. "How does Chef's Table season 5 stack up?". Gourmet Traveller. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  14. Morabito, Greg (2019-08-21). "How Rekha Shankar Created a Pitch-Perfect 'Chef's Table' Parody With 'Gods of Food'". Eater. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  15. "This 'Portlandia' Spoof of 'Chef's Table' Is All Too Perfect". Food & Wine. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  16. 1 2 "Chef's Table". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences . Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  17. "2015 IDA Documentary Awards". International Documentary Association. April 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  18. "The 2016 Beard Award Winners!". www.jamesbeard.org. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  19. "2016 Golden Reel Awards Awards". mpse.org. Archived from the original on 22 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  20. "2016 IDA Documentary Awards". International Documentary Association. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  21. "The 2017 James Beard Media Award Winners". www.jamesbeard.org. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  22. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Television Academy . Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  23. "The 2018 James Beard Media Award Winners". www.jamesbeard.org. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  24. Hipes, Patrick (12 July 2018). "Emmy Nominations: 'Game Of Thrones' Tops Noms, With Netflix & HBO Leading Way – Full List". Deadline. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved 19 July 2018.