Ep 1. Un-Curry; Guerrilla Cuisine

In the first episode of The Illegal Eater's debut season, entitled "Un-Curry; Guerrilla Cuisine," viewers are introduced to the show's host, Steven Alvarez. A self-proclaimed "illegal eater," Alvarez is on a mission to explore the underground culinary scene: the food and people who operate outside the confines of traditional kitchens and restaurants.

The episode begins with Alvarez traveling to Toronto's iconic Kensington Market, a neighborhood known for its diverse population and vibrant street food culture. But instead of visiting the area's popular food carts and restaurants, Alvarez is drawn to a different kind of culinary experience: guerrilla cuisine.

As Alvarez explains, guerrilla cuisine is a kind of underground supper club, where chefs and food enthusiasts come together to create and enjoy unique, often unconventional meals in secret locations. These dinners are often held in abandoned buildings, warehouses, or other places that are off-limits to the public.

To get inside the world of guerrilla cuisine, Alvarez has to use his contacts and connections to find out where the next dinner will be held. He eventually learns that a group called the "Un-Curry Club" is planning a dinner that evening, featuring a menu of deconstructed Indian curries.

Alvarez heads to the secret location, an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city, and meets with the members of the Un-Curry Club. The group is made up of a diverse mix of chefs, food bloggers, and other culinary enthusiasts, all united by their love of experimentation and pushing the boundaries of traditional cuisine.

As the dinner progresses, Alvarez samples a variety of dishes, each one more inventive and delicious than the last. Highlights include a "butter chicken jell-o," a deconstructed samosa, and a dessert made from Indian spices and vanilla ice cream.

But the Un-Curry Club's dinner is not just about the food. Throughout the meal, Alvarez speaks with the members of the group about their philosophy and why they choose to operate outside the traditional culinary industry. Many of them cite a desire to break free from the constraints of restaurant kitchens and create food that is truly their own.

As the night draws to a close, Alvarez reflects on what he's learned about guerrilla cuisine and the people who practice it. While the food and locations may be unconventional, what connects these chefs and food enthusiasts is a passion for creativity, experimentation, and pushing the boundaries of what food can be.

Overall, the first episode of The Illegal Eater sets the tone for the rest of the season, showcasing Alvarez's unique approach to exploring the world of underground food culture and introducing viewers to a diverse array of culinary rebels and renegades.