The Mind of a Chef poster

TV series

The Mind of a Chef

2012TV-PG6 seasons8.5 / 10

Go inside the minds of some of the world's top chefs. Narrated by Executive Producer Anthony Bourdain, The Mind of a Chef is that rare and beautiful thing: an intelligent show about cooking.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

The Mind of a Chef is available to stream on Prime Video, Amazon Freevee, Fandango at Home Free, Plex, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

Go inside the minds of some of the world's top chefs. Narrated by Executive Producer Anthony Bourdain, The Mind of a Chef is that rare and beautiful thing: an intelligent show about cooking.

Season 3 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

← Season 2

Episode 1

NYC Origin

30m7.5 / 10

Ed returns to his roots in East Brooklyn and the eclectic mix of cuisines that inspired how he cooks today.

Where to watch The Mind of a Chef

Episode 2

American

30m7.0 / 10

Head to Houston, Texas, where a sweat-inducing crawfish dinner exemplifies how flavors can blend together to create an entirely new American cuisine.

Where to watch The Mind of a Chef

Episode 3

Argentina

30m10.0 / 10

Travel with Ed to the foothills of the Andes to explore the most elemental part of cooking: fire.

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Episode 5

Kentucky

30m8.0 / 10

From the smokehouse to the plate, see why country ham is one of Ed’s favorite ingredients from the Bluegrass State.

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Episode 6

Latitude

30m8.0 / 10

What grows together, goes together. Ed explores combining the food of different cultures as culinary borders disappear.

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Episode 7

Impermanence

30m8.0 / 10

The more things change… the more they continue to change. Explore the ephemeral with Ed as he tries his hand at cooking alternative meats.

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Episode 9

Winter

30m6.0 / 10

Explore the ways that the Scandinavian people have survived winter through the practice of preservation and aging with Chef Magnus Nilsson.

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Episode 10

Spring

30m10.0 / 10

After a long winter, the arrival of spring awakens the delicate flavors of young herbs. The sun remains perched in the sky until midnight, the temperature climbs, and life returns to the once snow-covered landscape. This episode takes advantage of this brief window of time to explore the ingredients of spring in Sweden.

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Episode 11

Creation

30m8.0 / 10

When Chef Nilsson develops a dish at Fäviken, he pays careful attention to the unique properties of an ingredient. Through research and recipe testing, the components of a dish are combined with the aim of preserving their natural quintessence. “The Creation of a Dish” follows the life cycle of an ingredient as it transforms from an idea into a dish at his restaurant.

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Episode 13

Traditions

30m6.0 / 10

Examine how the bonds of tradition help to forge the identities of families and individuals.

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Episode 14

Locality

30m10.0 / 10

Explore how seasons affect a restaurant’s menu when the food is sourced in a 100-mile radius.

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Episode 15

Documentation

30m10.0 / 10

Chef Magnus Nilsson's efforts to document and preserve Nordic traditions are detailed including a visit to the Faroe Islands.

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Episode 16

Fäviken

30m8.0 / 10finale

A day in the life of chef Magnus Nilsson as he and the Fäviken staff prepare for dinner. The routine starts early, as Nilsson forages for spruce branches for his scallop dish and ends late, as every detail of the dinner is meticulously choreographed and executed.

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Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about The Mind of a Chef

Cast

Gabrielle HamiltonSelf
David KinchSelf
Magnus NilssonSelf
Edward LeeSelf
Ludo LefebvreSelf
Anthony BourdainNarrator (voice)
David ChangSelf
Danny BowienSelf

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Documentary
Episodes
86
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • PBSUnited States
  • Zero Point ZeroUnited States
  • GBHUnited States

Themes

chefcookingcooking showculinary artsfoodprofessional chefstravelworld cuisine