Ep 4. Pasta a la Raimi
- February 19, 2020
The Chef Show is a cooking show hosted by Jon Favreau and Chef Roy Choi. In each episode, they invite a special guest to cook a variety of dishes and chat about their personal experiences with food and cooking. The show offers viewers an up-close look at the culinary world and celebrates the joys of cooking.
In season 3 episode 4, titled "Pasta a la Raimi," Favreau and Choi are joined by their longtime friend and frequent collaborator, director Sam Raimi. Raimi is best known for his work on blockbuster films such as the Spider-Man trilogy and The Evil Dead franchise.
The episode kicks off with the trio discussing their shared love of pasta, and Raimi sharing a story about his early days as a struggling filmmaker in Hollywood, where he and his friends would pool their money to buy cheap pasta and sauce to sustain themselves. From there, the group gets to work preparing a variety of pasta dishes, each inspired by Raimi's stories and experiences.
The first dish on the menu is a classic spaghetti and meatballs, but with a twist inspired by Raimi's love of Mexican cuisine. Using ground pork and spices such as cumin and chili powder, Choi gives the meatballs a unique flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the tangy tomato sauce.
Next up is a creamy fettuccine alfredo, made with fresh pasta and a decadent combination of parmesan and heavy cream. Raimi admits that he used to make this dish regularly while in college, and that it was a staple in his student diet.
For the main course, Favreau and Choi prepare a hearty beef ragu, slow-cooked for hours with vegetables and red wine. They serve it over a bed of homemade pappardelle pasta, which Choi expertly shapes by hand.
Throughout the episode, the trio shares stories and anecdotes about their personal and professional lives, from Raimi's early days as a struggling filmmaker to Favreau's experiences filming The Mandalorian. They also offer tips and tricks for cooking pasta perfectly, including the importance of using a high-quality pasta maker and making sure to salt the pasta water before boiling.
The episode concludes with the trio sitting down to enjoy their delicious meal together, with Raimi marveling at the way that food can bring people together and create lasting memories. With its mix of mouthwatering recipes and engaging conversation, "Pasta a la Raimi" is a must-see episode of The Chef Show for foodies and film buffs alike.
