Ep 2. Selena + JJ Johnson

Selena + Chef is a hit cooking show that made its debut in 2020 and is now in its second season. The show features pop star Selena Gomez trying her hand at cooking while being guided by different professional chefs from around the world via video conferencing. The episodes are shot entirely from Selena's home kitchen due to the pandemic, giving the audience a behind the scenes look at how celebrities live during lockdown.

In this episode titled Selena + JJ Johnson, the singer is joined by American chef, restaurateur, and author, JJ Johnson. JJ is known for his Afro-Asian cuisine, and he is here to challenge Selena to cook an easy-to-make but tasty meal. As is the show's format, Selena and JJ will connect via video conference, and JJ will walk Selena through each step of the cooking process.

In the episode, Selena reveals that she loves rice but has never made it from scratch. JJ comes prepared with his own pantry ingredients to show Selena how to make his signature Carolina Gold Rice dish. Selena is excited to try her hand at something new and put her cooking skills to the test.

The episode kicks off with JJ introducing himself and explaining the dish they will be preparing. He highlights the importance of measuring everything accurately and getting the right flavors to complement each other. Selena seems ready for the challenge and is eager to learn new tricks from JJ Johnson.

The show then moves to Selena's kitchen, where she begins prepping the ingredients. She first learns how to peel ginger, which she confesses to never having done before. JJ informs her about the importance of peeling over grating and then moves on to show Selena how to make the dressing for their dish.

As Selena begins to cook the rice, JJ's expert guidance gets her out of a sticky situation and ensures that the rice comes out just right. He also shows Selena how to steam the fish, which is to be served with the rice. Along the way, JJ gives Selena tips on how to maximize flavor and improve the taste of the ingredients.

The episode is full of laugh-out-loud moments and light-hearted banter between Selena and JJ as they cook up a storm. Selena is a good sport and proves to be a quick learner, mastering the art of making Carolina Gold Rice with JJ's guidance. She also seems genuinely interested in the Afro-Asian cuisine that JJ specializes in, asking him insightful questions about the ingredients and techniques.

Towards the end of the episode, Selena and JJ bring together all the different elements of their meal, which includes rice, peas, fried plantains, and steamed fish, and plate it in a stunningly beautiful way. The two then sit down to enjoy the meal together via video conferencing, with Selena giving the dish a rave review.

Overall, Selena + Chef season 2 episode 2 with Selena and JJ Johnson is an entertaining and engaging episode that showcases Selena's willingness to learn and grow in the kitchen. JJ's expert guidance and easy-to-follow instructions make for a fun and educational show, catering to foodies and Selena fans alike. Fans of the show will love this episode, and newcomers will be enticed to tune in for more.