Watch The Mind of a Chef

The Mind of a Chef is a culinary television series that delves deep into the creative process of some of the world's most innovative and celebrated chefs. The show takes viewers on a culinary journey of exploration and discovery, revealing the unique philosophies, personalities, and techniques of renowned chefs, such as Gabrielle Hamilton and Anthony Bourdain.

The show's format is unconventional, combining a traditional cooking show with bits of travelogue, musing on food and cooking, and interviews with other chefs, farmers, and food writers. With Bourdain as the executive producer, The Mind of a Chef has an informal and unscripted feel, simulating a more artistic and organic way of cooking that favors spontaneity and creativity over precision and measured outcomes.

Each season of The Mind of a Chef focuses on a single chef or culinary style. Hamilton's season, for instance, is a revealing and intimate look into her process, tracing her background as a writer and her work as the owner of Prune, a small but highly respected restaurant in the East Village of New York City. Hamilton's episodes are shot in a documentary-style, exploring her love of cooking rooted in tradition, the special relationships she has formed with her staff and customers, and how she views food as a sensory experience that connects people.

Other seasons of the show cover diverse and intriguing subjects, such as Sean Brock's exploration of Southern cuisine, featuring his deep fascination with the ingredients and cooking techniques of the region, and Edward Lee's musings on the fusion of Korean, Southern, and French cuisines, in which he reflects on his own identity as a Chef, a Korean American, and a Southerner.

Throughout the show, we experience the protagonists' highs and lows, their obsessions and inspirations, as they reveal the mystery and beauty of creating gastronomic masterpieces out of simple ingredients. There is a particular emphasis on the culture, history, and social meanings associated with food, rather than just the technical aspects of cooking. The show's goal is not only to teach viewers how to prepare food but also to instill a love for the art and culture of cooking that goes beyond the kitchen.

The Mind of a Chef is a highly stylized show with visually arresting cinematography that highlights the beauty of ingredients and the cooking process. The episodes combine original footage with archival material, artful animation, and a constantly changing mixture of music, poetry, and storytelling. The show offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the inner workings of renowned chefs, elevating cooking to an experimental art form that can rival painting, sculpture, or music.

Overall, The Mind of a Chef is a show that celebrates culinary creativity and diversity. It is an ode to the art, passion, and talent that chefs bring to their craft, as well as an exploration of the cultural, social, and psychological factors that shape their culinary sensibilities. Its mix of gastronomy, travel, and philosophy is highly entertaining and educational, appealing to everyone who loves food, culture, and creative expression.

The Mind of a Chef is a series that ran for 6 seasons (83 episodes) between November 9, 2012 and on PBS