Chef!

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  • TV-MA
  • 1993
  • 3 Seasons
  • 8.1  (1,535)

Chef! was a British television comedy series that aired on BBC One from 1993 to 1996. The show starred Lenny Henry, one of the UK's most popular comedians, as the eponymous Chef, Gareth Blackstock. The series followed the life of Blackstock, an eccentric and highly talented chef who ran Le Chateau Anglais - a restaurant in the fictional English town of Marshbury. Chef! was a satirical take on the world of high-end restaurants and the often-ridiculous demands made by both customers and staff.

Henry's character Blackstock was highly strung and prone to outbursts when things didn't go his way. He was also incredibly quirky and had some bizarre traits, such as his insistence on referring to his sous-chef, Everton, as "Grunter" and the fact that he would routinely scream at his food in the kitchen.

Despite his eccentricities, Blackstock was a highly skilled and talented chef, who was dedicated to creating perfect dishes that were always a triumph of artistic vision over practicality. His neuroses and perfectionism often put him at odds with his staff, however, and he was constantly frustrated by their apparent lack of dedication to his craft.

The show also featured several recurring characters. Everton (Roger Griffiths), the sous-chef, was Blackstock's long-suffering right-hand man, who was constantly trying to keep the restaurant running smoothly despite his boss's tantrums. Caroline Lee-Johnson played Janice, the maitre d' of Le Chateau Anglais, whose prim and proper exterior belied her cunning and ability to get what she wanted.

Other recurring characters included the egotistical food critic, Egon Ronay (played by himself), who was always dropping by to try to catch Blackstock out, and the restaurant's wealthy and demanding customers, who were constantly causing chaos in the kitchen with their bizarre requests and dietary restrictions.

Despite the often-absurd nature of the show, Chef! was also incredibly insightful in its observations of the restaurant industry. It raised pertinent questions about the balance between culinary artistry and practicality, as well as the importance of customer service in the world of high-end dining. Blackstock and his team were constantly grappling with the challenge of balancing artistic vision with financial viability, and their efforts served as a commentary on the wider struggle of the restaurant industry to balance creativity with profit.

One of the most memorable aspects of Chef! was Blackstock's frequent outbursts and meltdowns. The show often took a surreal and absurd turn during these moments, with Blackstock screaming at his food or breaking down in tears over a misplaced caper. Despite his often-manic behaviour, however, it was clear that Blackstock's outbursts stemmed not from a place of aggression or malice but rather a deep-seated devotion to his culinary craft.

Overall, Chef! was a hilarious and intelligent take on the world of high-end restaurants, brilliantly capturing the absurdity and intensity of the industry. With Lenny Henry's unforgettable performance as the volatile but loveable Gareth Blackstock at its heart, the show remains one of the most beloved comedies of the 1990s.

Chef! is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (20 episodes). The series first aired on January 28, 1993.

Chef!
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Seasons
Paris? Jamaica?
6. Paris? Jamaica?
December 30, 1996
Gareth must decide whether to accept Rochelle's invitation to join her in Paris for the weekend or to fly off to Jamaica to patch things up with Janice. Another problem lies in trying to convince Savanna to take charge of the kitchen in his absence.
Rochelle
5. Rochelle
December 23, 1996
Gareth's life is about to undergo yet more change as school day flame, Rochelle, makes an appearance at La Chateau Anglais. A romantic evening between Gareth and Rochelle is interrupted by Janice, who has some very surprising news to share with them.
Love in the Air
4. Love in the Air
December 16, 1996
Gareth only thought that things had been rough to this point. He now finds that his father is about to make a reappearance in his life. Meanwhile, Cyril hires a private detective to seek out the "love interest" an older man is showing in Rene.
Lessons in Talking
3. Lessons in Talking
December 9, 1996
Cyril has made a policy decision that Gareth should mingle and chat with the diners at La Chateau Anglais. This is decidedly not what Gareth would prefer. He is still trying to salvage his marriage with Janice but continues to find the going very tough.
Reeny/Renee
2. Reeny/Renee
December 2, 1996
Cyril, the new owner, has a horribly spoiled daughter, Rene. He forces Gareth to give her employment in the kitchen and disaster looms quickly. Everton is smitten by Rene and will do anything to keep her from being removed from her position.
Gareth's True Love
1. Gareth's True Love
November 25, 1996
What changes at La Chateau Anglais! Gareth has to transfer ownership of the restaurant to a loud mouth name Cyril and Janice really turns Gareth's life around when she decides Gareth loves the restaurant more than her and leaves him.
Description
Where to Watch Chef!
Chef! is available for streaming on the BBC One website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Chef! on demand at Amazon Prime and Tubi TV.
  • Premiere Date
    January 28, 1993
  • IMDB Rating
    8.1  (1,535)
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