Reality TV Cooking Corner: Yes Chef! S1E1 Recap

Welcome to the Reality TV Cooking Corner where I recap the latest shows in the world of competition Reality TV cooking. We had a new show debut on NBC called Yes Chef!, which is hosted by José Andrés and Martha Stewart. The series that pits chefs against one another in hopes that they learn about how they are impacting those around them with their actions in the kitchen. I recap the first episode and let you know if I would continue to check it out.

“Yes, Chef!” is a bold new cooking competition that aims to reform hot tempers, egos and attitudes in the heat of the kitchen with Emmy Award-winning chefs José Andrés and Martha Stewart. The series puts 12 highly skilled yet rebellious chefs, who have been nominated by their bosses, co-workers, friends and even family, through the ultimate test and challenges designed to push their pressure points. 

Michelle, Zain and Katsuji had their menus picked, and now picked teams to work together. The question of the competition is, can they lead without micromanaging? Ten minutes to make a meal plan and 90 minutes to do their menu. Two teams to lose will partake in a cook off and someone will be eliminated. They give the chefs a chance to pick their menus OR use their original menu. Katusji decides to go back to his regular menu, while Michelle and Zain both say no. 

The red team wins. Chef Michele team gets the win, Each week they will select a Most Valuable Chef, it comes with advantages and power. Chef Michelle got the pick because she led the team to victory and allowed her team to do their thing. She gets to pick two chefs to go head-to-head, if chef Michele wins, that chef goes home, but if the person she picks wins, that winning chef gets to pick from who from the losing team is eliminated. 

Chef Michelle decides to take on Katusji because he cooked his own many, and she wants to knock him out. They have to create a dish in 45 minutes. Michelle gets to choose what style they cook, and she chooses Greek because she is Greek. Chef Katusji got to decide what set of ingredients they had to use to make a Greek dish, and he selected Mexican. 

Martha and Jose picked Katsuji’s dish as the winner. Katsuji picked Chef Petrina to go home, who was not thrilled she didn’t have a chance to fight for her spot. 

Overall Thoughts: Honestly, I loved the first episode because the challenges within the challenge make for an interesting watch. Another thing that stood out was how people are eliminated. That to me was fantastic. I definitely will be checking this out week to week.