Ep 2. Border Grill

Chef Hunter is a reality show that follows the journey of culinary recruiters in search of the best chefs for an array of positions in the culinary industry. Season 1 Episode 2 of the show is titled Border Grill.

In this episode, we see the recruiters on a mission to find the perfect chef for Border Grill, an upscale Mexican restaurant located in Santa Monica, California. Border Grill is one of the most popular Mexican eateries in the city and they are on the lookout for a lead chef to create a new menu and bring in more customers.

The first chef to be interviewed is Chef Jose Torres, who has worked in various Mexican restaurants across the city. He is confident in his skills and showcases his expertise in preparing traditional Mexican dishes like tamales, chile relleno, and enchiladas. However, the recruiters are not impressed with his lack of creativity and his inability to adapt to the evolving food scene in California.

Next up is Chef Chris Murphy, a self-taught chef who has opened his own restaurant that serves Latin-style cuisine. He impresses the recruiters with his creativity and passion for fusion cuisine, but they are concerned that he may not have the leadership skills to handle a high-end restaurant like Border Grill.

The third and final chef to be interviewed is Chef Aaron Guarino, who has trained at prestigious culinary schools and worked at some of the best restaurants in the country. He is confident in his abilities and presents the recruiters with a unique menu that showcases his creativity and technical skills. The recruiters are thoroughly impressed with his approach and are optimistic about his chances of being selected for the job.

The recruiters then decide to test the chefs by asking them to prepare their signature dishes in a live cooking competition. Chef Jose prepares his famous carne asada tacos, while Chef Chris presents his fusion-style sushi tacos. Chef Aaron cooks a dish that incorporates both Mexican and Asian flavors and showcases his skills with molecular gastronomy.

The judges, consisting of the restaurant's owners and other chefs, are blown away by all three dishes, but ultimately decide on Chef Aaron as the winning chef. They cite his technical skills, creativity, and ability to lead a kitchen as the deciding factors.

Overall, the episode is an exciting look into the world of professional culinary recruiting and showcases the incredible talent that exists in the industry. From traditional Mexican dishes to fusion-style cuisine and molecular gastronomy, the chefs in this episode demonstrate a wide range of skills and creativity.