Chef: Lenny Henry, Roger Griffiths, Caroline Lee-Johnson, Claire Skinner, Gary Parker, Gary Bakewell, Pui Fan Lee, Erkan Mustafa, Dave Hill, Jeff Nuttall, Lorelei King, Tim Matthews: Amazon.ca: Video

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Hungry for a laugh? The BBC serves up more than a few chuckles in this engaging sitcom about imperious chef Gareth Blackstock, a stern taskmaster who runs his kitchen with an iron fist, a lightning tongue, and a silver palate. The show combines some of the best elements of episodic drama and zany comedy, generously seasoned with sensual splashes of fine French cuisine. (Picture Julia Child crossed with Fawlty Towers' John Cleese following a script by the creators of thirtysomething and you get the general idea.) This first collection introduces Blackstock as a brilliant, egotistical black chef running an all-white kitchen--until, that is, his wife maneuvers him into hiring an old school chum. Challenges mount as the restaurant faces bankruptcy and Blackstock decides to risk everything to buy it. Could fulfilling his dream wind up costing the king of the kitchen his home and savings? Supported by a talented ensemble cast, the dramatic story arc develops gradually enough to keep viewers wanting more, while individual episodes rest on more traditional sitcom gags--like when the new apprentice chef loses a Band-Aid somewhere in the kitchen but can't tell which gourmet dish it landed in. Those expecting the surreal hysteria of Monty Python or similar classic British comedies might not care for Chef's subtleties, but those interested in quality television mixed with a few decent laughs will be more than satisfied by what this show has to offer. --Grant Balfour

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Average Customer Review

5.0 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars When oh when?????, May 13 2004

By

Dimitri Galitsis (N.J. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Chef Volume 1 (VHS Tape)

When will this finally be released on DVD??? My VHS copy is all worn out. I need this very badly. I'm a Chef dammit and it's like watching myself on TV. I really can relate to Gareth.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Gareth Blackstock and Basil Fawlty - Separated at Birth?, Jan 6 2004

By

takingadayoff "takingadayoff" (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chef Volume 1 (VHS Tape)

These first three episodes are the best of all the series. The final episodes (not available on video, as far as I know) after Chef's wife left, were dreadful. It was at that point the show Jumped the Shark, if you know what I mean.

They poured everything into the first series and this video is just great. We meet Chef Gareth Blackstock, his wife Janice, and the Michelin two-star restaurant Le Chateau Anglais. We find out what an unpleasant man (but a brilliant chef) Gareth is, then that the restaurant is in finacial difficulty and Chef must reduce kitchen and staff expenses. Then the restaurant goes into receivership and must be sold. Meanwhile, Chef has hired an unsuitable trainee chef (an old school mate) in order to save money.

So Gareth and Janice decide to try to buy the restaurant, which requires them to bow and scrape for the bank manager. At every turn, Gareth loses his temper and unleashes remarkably coherent and witty tirades at just about everyone. The only person who can stand up to him is his wife.

These are very funny episodes, much in the tradition of Fawlty Towers. And as an added bonus, you get to find out quite a bit about French cuisine and the restaurant business.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Give us more!!!, Dec 24 2003

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Shireen Alam (New Delhi, India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chef Volume 1 (VHS Tape)

I can only repeat the sentiments of most people here. I LOVE the show, I love Lenny Henry's wit! Why havent they put all the shows on DVD? I search every two weeks hoping to see something new released for Chef!

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Where is the DVD of this series?!
I love this series... it's one of the best that BBC has ever made. The shame is, however, that they haven't released a DVD of the full series. Read more

Published on Nov 3 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars We want more!!
I have always thought Chef! to be one of the funniest sitcoms period. It strikes me as strange that the BBC has not seen fit to release all of the episodes, let alone on DVD... Read more

Published on July 22 2003 by deltafront