During this lockdown, we had the opportunity to do things: eat and watch series. But, for those for whom the weekly Top Chef appointment is no longer enough, here are some Netflix shows to watch quickly to perfect your culinary knowledge. Attention, little top 5 quite subjective!
Number 5: Everyone at the table, the Top Chef Netflix version
The concept: Pairs of talented chefs compete in an international competition to satisfy the experienced palates of the various jurors. Why it's cool: Because it's the show that most resembles Top Chef, let's see! And that knowing how to say "texture game" and "chew" in several languages, it's still class! More seriously, chefs of different nationalities show us their talents in cooking and allow us to (re)discover specialties sometimes unknown. Netflix is quite adept at cooking competitions, with more or less success. But this one is definitely worth a visit! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYKTKgj2ds8
Number 4: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, the 4 powers of cooking
The concept: Samin Nosrat, an American chef and food columnist, created this show to explain the 4 fundamental concepts of cooking. Salt, fat, acid and heat. Indeed, without these components, difficult to make a dish worthy of the name. Why it's cool: Because Samin Nosrat exudes joie de vivre, and it shows! She loves to cook and she loves to share that with the people she has invited on her show. Divided into 4 episodes, allowing the chef to visit 4 countries, this cooking show makes us travel while allowing us to better understand the magic that takes place in the kitchen. Bonus: This Netflix original show is above all inspired by the excellent and very complete book written by Samin Nosrat, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oKbs4jAf7M
Number 3: Chef's Table, when Netflix invites itself to the starred
The concept: Renowned chefs invite Netflix cameras into their daily lives, tell us about their journeys, and the obstacles they overcame before reaching their level. Why it's cool: This show is now ultra known, at least in the world of "foodies" (food fans). It is very interesting to learn more about the geniuses who create exceptional dishes and inspire generations of future chefs. In Chef's Table, you can follow Enrique Olvera in Mexico, Christina Tosi in the streets of New York, or Massimo Bottura through Modena. The rendering is exciting, thanks to beautiful images and careful narration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mywDknhB1lk
Number 2: Ugly Delicious, to ask the real questions
The concept: David Chang, a talented American chef who runs an impressive number of restaurants in the US, offers us a frank discussion about food on Netflix. Mixing cuisine, historical information and travel, Ugly Delicious seeks to question culinary bases, which we took for granted. What is a real pizza? Why do we always return to the food of our childhood? What is the link between fried chicken and the southern USA? Why it's cool: Because to love food, you must first know what it is. Cooking is not just throwing ingredients into a dish and hoping for a miracle. Behind every recipe is a story. Behind each dish can be years of work or historical dramas. And besides, David Chang isn't the last to laugh, which makes his show even more fun to watch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN_XItALHmM
Number 1: Phil's Culinary Tribulations
The concept: Phil Rosenthal, the creator of the series Everyone Loves Raymond, changes genre! He travels around the world to taste the cuisines of several countries and immerse himself, with more or less success, in their customs. Why it's cool: First of all, it's Phil Rosenthal's personality that makes the essence of this show! Sort of hungry Mr. Bean, he makes a series of blunders. But it is especially his smug smiles when he discovers the dishes he is served that are hilarious. Let's face it, we necessarily identify ourselves! From Lisbon to Saigon, via Buenos Aires or Copenhagen, Phil is on a real culinary world tour, and we would love to be in his place. Going from small street food vendors to the most beautiful starred restaurants, it allows us to immerse ourselves, from a distance, in this magnificent world culture. Cooking brings people together, and Phil Rosenthal proves it! You can also find in some episodes crossed chefs in Chef's Table. Bonus: When it's possible to travel again, try to find the places where Phil tastes these wonderful dishes! It is tested and approved, in Lisbon anyway! Bonus 2: Season 3 of Phil's Culinary Tribulations arrives on Netflix on May 29th! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv29Sjt7LnA You now have all the cards in hand to spend gourmet and crunchy moments in front of Netflix. Enough to seriously put ourselves in the kitchen, while waiting for the reopening of our favorite restaurants.
