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Chef! was a British television comedy series that aired on BBC One from 1993 to 1996. The show starred Lenny Henry, one of the UK's most popular comedians, as the eponymous Chef, Gareth Blackstock. The series followed the life of Blackstock, an eccentric and highly talented chef who ran Le Chateau Anglais - a restaurant in the fictional English town of Marshbury. Chef! was a satirical take on the world of high-end restaurants and the often-ridiculous demands made by both customers and staff.

Henry's character Blackstock was highly strung and prone to outbursts when things didn't go his way. He was also incredibly quirky and had some bizarre traits, such as his insistence on referring to his sous-chef, Everton, as "Grunter" and the fact that he would routinely scream at his food in the kitchen.

Despite his eccentricities, Blackstock was a highly skilled and talented chef, who was dedicated to creating perfect dishes that were always a triumph of artistic vision over practicality. His neuroses and perfectionism often put him at odds with his staff, however, and he was constantly frustrated by their apparent lack of dedication to his craft.

The show also featured several recurring characters. Everton (Roger Griffiths), the sous-chef, was Blackstock's long-suffering right-hand man, who was constantly trying to keep the restaurant running smoothly despite his boss's tantrums. Caroline Lee-Johnson played Janice, the maitre d' of Le Chateau Anglais, whose prim and proper exterior belied her cunning and ability to get what she wanted.

Other recurring characters included the egotistical food critic, Egon Ronay (played by himself), who was always dropping by to try to catch Blackstock out, and the restaurant's wealthy and demanding customers, who were constantly causing chaos in the kitchen with their bizarre requests and dietary restrictions.

Despite the often-absurd nature of the show, Chef! was also incredibly insightful in its observations of the restaurant industry. It raised pertinent questions about the balance between culinary artistry and practicality, as well as the importance of customer service in the world of high-end dining. Blackstock and his team were constantly grappling with the challenge of balancing artistic vision with financial viability, and their efforts served as a commentary on the wider struggle of the restaurant industry to balance creativity with profit.

One of the most memorable aspects of Chef! was Blackstock's frequent outbursts and meltdowns. The show often took a surreal and absurd turn during these moments, with Blackstock screaming at his food or breaking down in tears over a misplaced caper. Despite his often-manic behaviour, however, it was clear that Blackstock's outbursts stemmed not from a place of aggression or malice but rather a deep-seated devotion to his culinary craft.

Overall, Chef! was a hilarious and intelligent take on the world of high-end restaurants, brilliantly capturing the absurdity and intensity of the industry. With Lenny Henry's unforgettable performance as the volatile but loveable Gareth Blackstock at its heart, the show remains one of the most beloved comedies of the 1990s.

Chef! is a series that ran for 3 seasons (20 episodes) between January 28, 1993 and on BBC One