Ep 5. Selena + Jon and Vinny

In Season 1 Episode 5 of Selena + Chef, titled Selena + Jon and Vinny, Selena Gomez teams up with chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, owners of the Los Angeles restaurant Animal. Shook and Dotolo have made headlines for their inventive dishes that feature unexpected flavors and ingredients, and in this episode, they push Selena out of her culinary comfort zone.

The episode kicks off with Selena and the chefs chatting virtually in their respective kitchens. Selena explains that she's a big fan of Animal and is excited to learn some new techniques from the duo. Jon and Vinny are equally thrilled to cook with Selena, and they quickly get to work on the day's menu.

The trio starts by prepping a grilled peach salad with burrata cheese, pistachios, and a honey-lemon dressing. Selena admits that she's not a huge fan of peaches, but Jon and Vinny convince her to give this dish a try. They show her how to perfectly grill the peaches so that they're caramelized and slightly smoky in flavor. Selena is pleasantly surprised at how much she enjoys the dish.

Next up is the main course: duck confit with cherries and cornbread. Jon and Vinny walk Selena through the process of making the confit, which involves curing the duck legs with salt and spices before slowly cooking them in their own fat. It's a time-consuming process, but the resulting meat is tender and flavorful. The chefs also teach Selena how to make a quick cherry compote to serve alongside the duck, as well as a simple cornbread with chives and butter.

Selena is a little nervous about cooking duck, but with Jon and Vinny's guidance, she does a great job. The chefs are impressed with her knife skills and her ability to multitask in the kitchen. And when it's time to sit down and eat, Selena can't stop raving about the delicious meal they've created.

After their feast, Selena, Jon, and Vinny sit down for a Q&A session where they discuss their favorite comfort foods, what they've been cooking during quarantine, and their thoughts on the future of the restaurant industry.

Throughout the episode, Selena proves that she's a quick learner and a good sport. She's willing to try new and unfamiliar ingredients, and she doesn't get discouraged when things don't go perfectly. At the same time, she's not afraid to ask questions or make suggestions when she's unsure of something.

Selena + Chef is a charming and entertaining show that showcases Selena's down-to-earth personality and her passion for cooking. Each episode features a different guest chef who teaches Selena new recipes and techniques, and viewers get to learn along with her. The show is shot entirely from Selena's home, which gives it an intimate and cozy feel, and the virtual format allows for easy collaboration with the guest chefs. Overall, Selena + Chef is a delightful and inspiring series that will leave you hungry for more.