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The 5 Best Episodes of 'Chef's Table'

While the chefs featured in 'Chef's Table' are the greatest in the culinary world, which of their messages are the most powerful?

By Jenika EnochPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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'Chef's Table' [Netflix]

In the wide variety of food-related content swirling around the internet, Netflix seems to have a stronghold on the genre with not just the available content, but the quality of the content that exists. I'm admittedly a huge foodie and I have spent countless hours binging food-related content on Food Network, Netflix, Hulu, and beyond and I haven't been able to beat the best offering Netflix has - yes, I'm talking about Chef's Table.

'Chef's Table: BBQ' [Netflix]

Chef's Table was the first Netflix original documentary series created by co-founder of Supper Club, David Gelb. Premiering in 2015, it has gone on to feature 30 chefs over six volumes (aka, seasons) and has even spawned two spin-offs, Chef's Table: France and Chef's Table: BBQ. The premise of the show is to focus on each chef and explore their journeys of creativity, success, and overall approach to cooking. It's a wildly delicious rollercoaster that covers various countries, cuisines, and skill levels.

Given how different each episode is, there's obviously room for favoritism. After all, that's all food culture is, right? You find what you like and it resonates with you in a way that is unique to your palate. With this article, we'll focus on my five personal favorites from Chef's Table. While you can find these chef's on other top lists from other reviewers, these choices are purely what resonated with me the most throughout all six volumes.

5. Christina Tosi

'Chef's Table' [Netflix]

Chef's Table ventured into the pastry world for a brief moment and with that, we got to see that pastry chefs are just as important as savory chefs. Chef Christina Tosi's episode focuses on how memories and classic treats are a great canvas for creativity. When Tosi started her first bakery, Milk Bar, her "crack pie" invention exploded a new empire including multiple North American locations, online sales, and cookbooks.

The endearing thing about Tosi's rise to success is it comes across as attainable. It's easy to watch food shows and think, "wow that would be cool if I could do that." Well, Christina Tosi makes us feel like we could be doing it right with her, and that's something really special in the culinary world.

4. Dan Barber

'Chef's Table' [Netflix]

The concept of "farm to table" is brought to the forefront with the Chef's Table episode with chef Dan Barber. While a lot of modern restaurants flaunt the term, Barber is putting it into direct practice with Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York.

In order to keep a family farm running, Barber and his brother ventured into the farm to table concept with seasonal menus, ethical ingredient sourcing, and sustainable farming. For me personally, I never really grasped the concept until I watched Barber's episode and wasn't aware of how the cycle of agriculture works. Learning how you have to work with (not for) the environment to achieve specific flavors and ethical sourcing is something that should be more widely grasped, in my opinion.

3. Ivan Orkin

'Chef's Table' [Netflix]

Did you ever think a white, Jewish ramen chef would exist?

Chef's Table explores the rise of chef Ivan Orkin - a Jewish man who decided to go to Japan and never really come home. When he decided to go to Japan and open his own ramen shop, it was a gamble that probably wouldn't sound like a winner to anyone. However, Orkin rose to popularity (including his own brand of instant ramen) and through love and grief, he eventually made his way back to New York City.

Orkin's episode is inspirational for a number of reasons, but his backstory makes his success just that much sweeter.

2. Niki Nakayama

'Chef's Table' [Netflix]

We've all been in those situations where we push ourselves to prove to other people how much we can do. Chef Niki Nakayama knows all about that and her episode of Chef's Table explores her journey from working for the approval of others to working for herself.

Deeply rooted in Japanese traditions, this daughter of immigrants split her time between Los Angeles and Japan perfecting the art of modern Kaiseki tradition. Nakayama now operates with her wife as her sous chef at n/naka in Los Angeles and lets her food do all the talking for her. It's always refreshing to see the journey pay off the way it has for her.

1. Grant Achatz

'Chef's Table' [Netflix]

If thinking outside of the box won every award there is, chef Grant Achatz would have won them all by now. His creativity and willingness to push the limits of food possibility has taken him just about everywhere there is to go in the culinary world and for good reason.

What Achatz's episode showcases, like many others on the show, is that creative freedom is a powerful driving force in the kitchen - perhaps the most important thing. Talent can go far, but if you don't have the freedom to use that talent then what is there? He takes creative freedom to a new high at his Chicago restaurant, Alinea, by venturing into molecular gastronomy.

'Chef's Table' [Netflix]

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About the Creator

Jenika Enoch

I love movies, music, sci-fi, and art. I'm a certified graphic designer and create my own art. Things that fuel me include equality, respect, and anything weird.

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Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

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