Top 10 Fictional Chefs:
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This month I thought we’d have a little fun. I thought I’d give you a run down of my Top Ten fictional chefs. The results are based on minutes and minutes of research while flicking through my phone during a quiet spell on a Monday lunch service.
Get in touch if you feel I’ve missed someone in this contest which is set to rival the “world’s 50 Best Restaurants” in prestige and accolade.

10. Chef Monica Gellar. I’ve only added her so I can rant about her really. The chef who’s never at work. Surely a more accurate representation of a New York City chef would have been for her to have just not been there. Now, I’m no oracle of knowledge when it comes to the hit show “Friends” but I don’t remember Chandler ever saying “….I’ll find out when Monica is off and get back to you guys. You know how it is!”

9. Sherman “Preacher” Dudley AKA LL Cool Jay in the film Deep Blue Sea. Now this chef had his shit together. You know he was getting paid top dollar working as a private chef for this Science Team. I don’t want to give away the ending for the few people who have never seen this classic, but I’m quite sure my boy LL hid from the killer shark, in his oven…. I may be remembering that wrong. Feel free to correct me.


8. Spongebob Squarepants. So, many have called him a one trick pony, but if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Mr Squarepants had people queuing for miles for his Crabby patties. Very few chefs can claim to have this much interest for their own signature dishes. Others have tried to replicate the “secret formula” but often failed. His skills as a chef coupled with his cheery outlook on life, are the reason he makes this top ten.


7. Remy Rat. I’m only putting this vermin on the list because some of you who responded to me when I asked for your favourite fictional chef, said Ratatouille. Personally, I can’t stand the film. Rats don’t belong in kitchens. Full stop! Stupid concept. Crap movie. That being said. This is a chef review, not a movie review. Remy’s skills and natural ability are worthy of high praise. His passion and quest for excellence are to be admired. He definitely did the great Auguste Gusteau proud. As a side note, in researching this blog (lol), I was led to an article which referenced the late real chef Bernard Loiseau as inspiration for Gusteau in this movie. If you take anything away from this list. Go read more about Chef Loiseau.


6. Adam Jones from the movie “Burnt” Despite the helmetless, motorcycle ride scene through the streets of London to pick his mate up from prison, this film was pretty good. But like I said, this is not a movie review. This list is compiled based on my personal algorithm which is fuelled by Gin, tonic and ice cubes. So, as I found Adam to be a bit of a knob, He does not make it much higher than sixth position. His quest for Michelin stars showed his single-minded determination and little else by way of personality. Controversial?


5. Now Carl Casper on the other hand was a much more well-rounded character. The Film “Chef” Will make you hungry. The chef’s skills on show were more rustic and relatable to me. As well as the often-seen power struggle between owner and chef.


4. Chef- South Park. Chocolate. Salty. Balls. Legend. Need I say more?


3. Swedish Chef. This is probably my first memory of a chef to appear on the TV. Therefore, he makes the list for his influence. As this seems to be the case for a lot of chefs. Growing up and watching the TV in the 80s, was all about the Muppets. Several chefs have attributed this chef for inspiring them to be in the kitchen. Daniel Humm, Dominique Crenn, and Heston Blumenthal all told me this. This is 100% true. Because you’re reading this on the internet…. Or did I just dream that?


2. Gareth Blackstock A true ambassador and pioneer. Head chef of the Chateau Anglaise. “Chef” was BBC primetime viewing in the early 90’s. As a chef, he displayed class, talent and charm. He pulled no punches and ran the kitchen with authority and was totally respected by his brigade. This TV series ended too soon. Definitely due for resurrection.

1. Casey Ryback. Those who know, know. Chef Casey Ryback was formerly a Navy SEAL. He lost his Officer status by doing something bad which I can’t quite remember right now. But that’s really not important. Needless to say, if there is ever a chef you want to stand behind, this is the guy. He looked out for his team and makes a badass Bouillabaisse. If you’ve never watched Under Siege, then we can’t be friends. All Hail Steven Seagal. Sorry, I mean Chef Ryback!

Honourable mentions: Ian Beale (Eastenders) I don’t watch Eastenders.
Who have I missed? Who is in your top 10? Who should be number 1?
Also. Check out my Chef movie night suggestions blog here https://www.thestaffcanteen.com/Blog/chefs-movie-night-suggestions-blog-by-knifeofbrian Or on medium here https://medium.com/@brix2tri/chefs-movie-night-suggestions-26b585f6dd21
Cheers,
Brian P.

Slightly different angle this month. I’ve just compiled a list of films and tv shows which I have watched or had recommended to me by other chefs. No rants or industry observations. Just me, the remote control and a day off. So getting straight in to it….

My first movie is a film which put the idea of being a chef, in to my mind. Quite bizarre actually, as the film is a little odd and dark…some may say that sums me up too. With an all-star cast featuring Helen Mirren, Tim Roth and Michael Gambon. “The cook, the thief, his wife and her lover” is top of my list of chef films. From 1989 it features costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and was directed by Peter Greenaway. It is a classic British film set in the criminal underworld headed by a young(er) Dumbledore. This is a very stylish film. They way the costumes were changed in colour for each room change in the restaurant is just captivating. I suggest watching with a bottle of red wine and some cheese.

2. Very different from the previous film. “Under Siege” is quite simply awesome. To sum up. Steven Seagal is a chef. Well ex-Navy Seal who kicks arse! Ok. So it is a little ridiculous but I love it. The trailer alone will make any chef proud. No wine required for this one.

3a&3b. For number three on my list, I am actually going to include two movies. They are very recent and most chefs may well have seen or heard of them already. This list is really aimed at the more obscure films which you may not have seen. So. “Chef” is way better than “Burnt”. The movie “chef” has a better story, better cast and is more believable. Whereas I found that “Burnt” showcased some great cliché chef moments, it had too many holes and I found I was probably more interested in the lead character’s back story, than the tale told in the film. Both well worth watching even if it is just for the smouldering beauty of Scarlett Johanssen or the insane handsomeness of Bradley Cooper.

4. Back to the classic artsy films. “Eat, Drink, Man, Woman” is a Taiwanese movie directed by Ang Lee. You will be hungry while watching this 1994 movie about a dad and his three daughters. I’ll be honest here. I enjoyed the cooking scenes more than I liked the movie as a whole. But again, well worth checking out.

5. Sticking with Asian cuisine. Here is a movie I have not seen yet. The trailer captivated me and I’m still waiting for a DVD to become available “Cook Up a Storm” is simply spectacular visually. With lots of “Chef’s Table” style cinematography. I can’t wait to see it first-hand. I can only hope that the storyline is enough to maintain my attention. Does look good though.

6. With that. “Chef’s Table” is a Netflix exclusive series which is the absolute benchmark in food photography and a visual joy. It offers a real insight into the drive of some of the best chefs in the world and I would encourage any chef who strives for excellence to enjoy an episode when they can.

7. I recently found out that this next film featured a young Michael Gove. You know? The politician. Don’t let that put you off. “A Feast at Midnight”is another movie from the 90’s which I rather enjoyed. It stars Christopher Lee as a head master of a boarding school. That is scary enough for me. But this classic little British film tells the story of some young lads sneaking into the kitchens at night to have late night cooking sessions. Good, old fashioned fun.

8. This next movie is another which I am yet to see, but several chefs and foodies have told me that it is a real gem. “Big Night” from 1996 is in my Amazon basket. Please comment below if you have seen it and let me know your view.

9. From the BBC, I give you “Chef!”. A TV series starring the comedy champion that is Lenny Henry. Possibly his greatest work. He plays Gareth Blackstock, the head chef of a fancy restaurant. I’m not sure who the chef advisor was on this show, but there are so many nuggets of realism in it that only true chefs could ever relate to. Like losing a blue plaster while making the ravioli. Too funny. This is definitely worth finding a DVD box set.

10. Finally, this is yet another which I am yet to see, but have had recommended to me by several chefs, cooks, foodies and film lovers. Babette’s Feast. I’ve seen the trailer and it doesn’t really appeal to me. The fact that I rate Under Siege as a classic really should give you an idea of my level.
Too man subtitled films on this list?Please feel free to comment with any other films or TV show you may feel I’ve missed. I’m sure there are plenty but i’ll happily add and good suggestions to this post.

​Honorable mentions to: Kitchen Confidential (TV series), Pie in the Sky (TV series) and Chocolat
Dishonorable mention goes to Ratatouille. Hate it! enough said!