Netflix released Chef’s Table: Legends this week, marking a decade since the acclaimed culinary docuseries first revolutionized food programming on the streaming platform.
The franchise, which debuted in 2015, has evolved beyond its initial six-episode season into a global phenomenon spanning multiple spinoffs including Chef’s Table: France, Noodles, BBQ, Pizza, and now Legends.
Creator David Gelb’s visually stunning series has consistently transcended traditional food documentation, positioning culinary artists as philosophers and revolutionaries rather than mere cooks.
Each episode delves into the personal journeys behind the dishes — exploring how chefs transform memories, cultural heritage, and personal struggles into edible art.
“I am a cook that uses cooking to send this message of a way of living,” explained Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann in his seminal Season 1 appearance. “Get out of your chair or your sofa or your office, and go out.”
The series’ cinematography has become its signature element. Slow-motion sequences of ingredients being transformed, flames dancing beneath copper cookware, and the meticulous plating processes have established a new visual language for culinary documentation.
Thomas Keller features prominently in the latest Legends installment, joining the ranks of culinary innovators previously profiled across the franchise’s extensive catalog.
While the series certainly delivers its share of “food porn,” its lasting impact stems from its exploration of the creative process. Chefs are portrayed as artists wrestling with questions of identity, tradition, and innovation.
Mallmann, who famously closed his celebrated restaurant Los Negros at the height of its popularity, represents the series’ underlying philosophy: “You don’t grow on a secure path… In order to grow and to improve, you have to be there a bit at the edge of uncertainty.”
The franchise has featured diverse culinary voices — from monastic chefs practicing ancient traditions to revolutionary street food vendors redefining culinary boundaries.
After a decade of production, Chef’s Table remains one of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed original productions, having transformed not just how viewers consume food content but how they understand the relationship between creators and their craft.
The series continues to challenge audiences to consider the profound connection between culinary creation and personal meaning, suggesting that true mastery requires constant reinvention and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.
