Ep 1. Selena + Ludo Lefevbre

Selena + Chef is a cooking show that premiered on HBO Max in August 2020. In each episode, singer and actress Selena Gomez learns how to cook a variety of dishes from different chefs via video chat. The first episode, titled Selena + Ludo Lefebvre features the French-born, Los Angeles-based chef Ludo Lefebvre.

Selena Gomez is an unlikely chef. She confesses at the beginning of the episode that she has very little experience in the kitchen, having mostly relied on fast food or delivery for her meals. However, in quarantine, she realized that cooking is a useful and enjoyable skill to learn, and she decided to document this journey in a show that also provides entertainment and education to viewers.

Ludo Lefebvre is a Michelin-starred chef who owns several restaurants in Los Angeles, and has appeared in numerous cooking shows such as Top Chef and The Taste. He has a reputation for his contemporary, French-inspired cuisine, which often combines high-end ingredients with playful twists.

The episode starts with Selena introducing herself to Ludo via video chat, and expressing her excitement and anxiety for the upcoming cooking lesson. Ludo greets her warmly, and asks her about her favorite dishes and ingredients. Selena confesses that she loves pasta and cheese, and Ludo decides to teach her how to make a classic French dish: seafood bouillabaisse.

Bouillabaisse is a fish soup that originated in Marseille, France, and typically consists of various seafood such as fish, shellfish, and squid, cooked in a flavorful broth made with tomatoes, garlic, saffron, and other aromatic herbs. It is a complex dish that requires precision and timing, but Ludo assures Selena that he will guide her through each step.

The first challenge is to select and prepare the seafood. Ludo advises Selena to look for fresh, sustainable seafood at her local market, and to clean and de-shell them properly. Selena shows some hesitation at handling live lobsters and crabs, but Ludo encourages her to be brave and patient. He also teaches her how to make a simple fish stock by boiling fish heads and bones with onion and fennel.

Once the seafood and stock are ready, Ludo instructs Selena on how to make the rouille, a mayonnaise-like sauce that is traditional served with bouillabaisse. It consists of roasted red peppers, garlic, bread crumbs, and olive oil, blended until smooth. Selena struggles a bit with the blender, but Ludo reminds her to take breaks and not over-blend the mixture.

The most challenging part of the recipe is the timing and layering of the ingredients. Ludo explains how adding the seafood in a specific order and for a specific amount of time can affect the texture and flavor of the soup. He also emphasizes the importance of seasoning and tasting throughout the cooking process, and encourages Selena to trust her instincts and palate.

Throughout the lesson, Selena and Ludo share personal stories about their background, their families, and their experiences during the pandemic. Selena mentions how cooking has been therapeutic for her, and Ludo agrees that food is not only nourishing but also emotional and cultural. He tells Selena that bouillabaisse is a dish that reminds him of his childhood in France, and that he is honored to share it with her.

In the end, Selena and Ludo are able to finish the dish and present it to the camera. Selena looks proud of herself, and Ludo compliments her for her patience and attention to detail. They also discuss some variations and modifications that can be made to the recipe, depending on personal preferences or seasonal availability.

Selena ends the episode by expressing her gratitude and admiration for Ludo, and by inviting viewers to join her on her cooking journey. She promises to learn new recipes and techniques, and to share them with her fans and friends. As the episode fades out, Selena takes a spoonful of the bouillabaisse and smiles, saying, "Mmm, it's really good. Maybe I can cook after all."