The Mind of a Chef Season 2 Episode 13 British Classics

The Mind of a Chef is a James Beard and Emmy award-winning series that explores the world of professional cooking. In season 2 episode 13, titled British Classics, we join Chef April Bloomfield as she revisits the traditional dishes of her home country, England.

The episode begins with Chef Bloomfield sharing her love for classic British food and her approach to cooking it. She explains that she sees British cuisine as humble and comforting, and likes to add her own modern twist to the traditional recipes.

First, we visit a local butcher shop with Chef Bloomfield, where she sources some of the best meat for her dishes. She talks about the importance of using high-quality ingredients and emphasizes the value of supporting local farmers and businesses.

Next, we head to the kitchen, where Chef Bloomfield starts preparing some of her favorite British dishes. She starts with a hearty plate of black pudding and fried eggs, a classic breakfast item that she enjoys making at home. She walks us through the steps of making the perfect fried egg and shares her tips for cooking the black pudding to achieve the perfect texture and flavor.

She then moves on to a pork pie, one of the most iconic British dishes. She explains how she likes to add her own modern twist to the recipe, using spiced meat and homemade pastry to create a more complex flavor profile. She talks about the importance of texture in this dish, making sure that the crust is perfectly crispy and the filling is moist and succulent.

We also see Chef Bloomfield making a delicious Sunday roast with all the trimmings, including roasted potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. She shows us how to cook the perfect roast beef, and shares her technique for Yorkshire pudding, a classic British bread that is often served with a roast.

Throughout the episode, we get a glimpse into Chef Bloomfield's personal life and her connection to the food she cooks. We learn about her upbringing in England and her love for the simple, comforting dishes of her childhood. She shares memories of cooking with her grandmother and talks about the influence that those experiences had on her career as a chef.

Overall, British Classics is a heartwarming episode that celebrates the rich culinary tradition of England. Chef April Bloomfield's passion for her culture and her craft shines through in every dish, making this episode a must-watch for anyone who loves good food and great stories.