THE MAKING OF A CHEF
Queen of the Kitchen
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"I've been a cook all my life, but I am still learning to be a good chef. I'm always learning new techniques and improving beyond my own knowledge because there is always something new to learn and new horizons to discover."​
-Chef Jose Andrés
"You have no choice as a professional chef: you have to repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat until it becomes part of yourself. I certainly don't cook the same way I did 40 years ago, but the technique remains. And that's what the student needs to learn: the technique."
- Jaques Pepin
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en français
Set in the culinary capital of Lyon, France, The Making of a Chef is a high-stakes reality series that follows a diverse group of aspiring chefs from around the world as they train at an elite international culinary school. Under the guidance of master chefs, these students face grueling practical exams, precision-driven kitchen drills, and emotionally charged critiques. But the pressure doesn’t stop in the kitchen—they must also adjust to life in a new country, navigate cultural differences, and immerse themselves in the food and wine traditions of France.
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Each episode captures the intensity, beauty, and personal sacrifice behind mastering one of the world’s most revered culinary arts. For these students, the journey is not just about technique—it’s about proving they have what it takes to rise to the top.
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Genre: Limited documentary reality series
Format: Six one-hour episodes
Tone: Unique access, upbeat
Influences: Chef's Table, The Mind of a Chef
Network: PBS, Streaming