Episode 1
Eggs
30m
From the NYC classic egg on a roll to Faroe Island fulmar egg and curry, re-fall in love with the best egg dishes from our archives. Crack it open, and let the fun begin.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
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 5 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 2
Legends
30m
It takes a great chef to make a great chef. This episode is all about paying homage to the greatest culinary minds in the world. Fergus Henderson, Eric Ripert, Pascal Barbot and more spend some quality time cooking with our alumni.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 3
Fried
30m
When it comes to preparations, few could be as delightful and decadent as a good, old-fashioned deep fry. We dip THE MIND OF A CHEF basket in hot oil, serving up everything from oyster poboys to pig’s head, from alligator filets to sardine spines.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 4
LudoBird
30m
How does a chef trained in the finest kitchens of France translate his haute cuisine to fast food? Ludo’s obsession with a perfectly cooked bird can be traced back to France, where he learned to roast chicken, and his love for the American classic was solidified when he ate at KFC for the first time.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 5
Strip Malls
30m
Trois Mec and Petit Trois can be found side-by-side in a Hollywood strip mall, nestled between a dry cleaners and a Yum Yum donut. Ludo’s restaurants and the dishes he creates for them embody the cultural mash-up and high/low flair that is the strip mall philosophy.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 6
La Mer
30m
Ludo came up under mentors like Alain Passard and Mark Meneau, chefs with an almost pathological obsession with ingredients. His eyes light up when he describes the Lobsters of Brittany, the Oysters from Cancale, and the myriad of other extraordinary culinary jewels in the oceanic bounty of France.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 7
Le Végétale
30m
Today’s chef reveres his gardener as much as his butcher. Ludo explores the vegetables, gardens, and memories he uses to cook some of his dishes.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 8
Joie De Vivre
30m
The demands of a celebrity chef, especially one that runs three vibrant restaurants and a fried chicken franchise, are rigorous. When Ludo needs to escape the chaos, he heads to the lilting and poetic world of Paris in the spring, where the emphasis is placed on the joy and fun of life.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 9
Tous Au Bistro
30m
A bistro is typically defined by its modesty – they are relatively small, affordable and humble. With Petit Trois, Ludo’s has brought the spirit of the bistro to Los Angeles. In this episode, Ludo brings us back to Paris to introduce us to some of the people and places that first inspired him to begin a culinary career.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 10
Instinct vs. Discipline
30m
Does an artist follow instinct, training or intuition…or perhaps all three? This episode examines the ties between artists and their education, and how childlike wonder can, in fact, translate into a career.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 11
LudoBites
30m
Ludo began his US career cooking at Los Angeles restaurant Bastide, but after it closed for renovations he opted not to return and instead chose to do things his way. Borrowing a friend’s bakery space, Ludo created a unique dining experience in the form of small, reservations-only, “chef’s choice” dinners that became known as LudoBites.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 12
Surf N Turf
30m
Explore the wet and dry side of our culinary world as Magnus Nilsson dry-ages a steak in kidney fat as long as he possibly can, April Bloomfield hallucinates while at a butcher shop, and Ed Lee makes a ribeye with eel puree.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 13
Dessert
30m
We take a long, hard look at the cherry on top of a dining experience. On the menu is burnt miso apple pie, the English classic banoffee pie, and sorghum ice cream, so grab a spoon.
Where to watch The Mind of a Chef
Episode 14
Birds
30mfinale
We open the birdcage on some of our familiar (and some not so familiar) poultry dishes. Chinese chicken noodle soup, and chicken and dumplings make an appearance, but also stuffed Faroe Island puffin and duck-on-a-string.
Where to watch The Mind of a ChefEpisode information updated Jul 23, 2026
More about The Mind of a Chef
Cast
Gabrielle HamiltonSelf
David KinchSelfMagnus NilssonSelf
Edward LeeSelf
Ludo LefebvreSelf
Anthony BourdainNarrator (voice)
David ChangSelfDanny 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
