If there’s anything that fans of Bravo’s Top Chef (2006) know, it’s that the road to culinary perfection is about as cutthroat as it gets. From flaming tempers to crowning moments, the reality television competition has been bringing the heat of the kitchen into fans' homes for 18 seasons. The series also launched spinoffs including Top Chef Junior (2017) and Top Masters (2009), which proves that audiences can’t get enough of the unyielding and ruthless drama of watching chefs battling it out as they attempt to outwit and out-cook their opponents.
As season eighteen, Top Chef: Portland, approaches, fans are starved for gastronomic content that matches the intensity of the series. To satisfy the appetites of Chef diehards, here are some of the best documentary films that serve up a heaping helping of the heat of the kitchen and the drama of the food industry on a silver platter.
Noma: My Perfect Storm (2015)
A slow burning and savory behind the scenes peek at what has been called “the best restaurant in the world”, Noma. Located in Copenhagen, Denmark, the establishment is helmed by culinary master René Redzepi and the documentary, directed by Pierre Deschamps, is all about the intersection between art, food, and perfection.
At times the footage can be difficult to watch as Redzepi’s employees get caught in the crossfires of his ego. The stress of maintaining a nearly unattainable title and the pressure of having the eyes of the world watching your every move, keeps the viewers wondering when and if Redzepi will reach his boiling point. At this time, the documentary can be streamed on Hulu.
Barbecue (2017)
In 2017, the Matthew Salleh directed documentary, Barbecue, premiered at the South by South West Film Festival. The doc, which delves into the ritualistic and ceremonious dynamic between fire and meat is told through 13 different languages. The film also explores how different cultures value the cooking technique as a communal and traditional act.
From American backyards to the foothills of Mongolia, the cinematography is a feast for the eyes and a must-see for both foodies and those with a healthy appetite for wanderlust. The doc is available to rent now on Amazon Prime.
The Search For General Tso (2014)
In less than two hours, Ian Cheney’s The Search For General Tso covers a lot of ground. Centered on the iconic sweet, sticky and spicy chicken-based dish and the mystery behind the person it’s named after, the film also spends a great deal of time delving into the Westernization of Chinese cuisine in the United States.
Everything from the correct way to pronounce Tso to the rise of the take-out food staple, the film grapples with a lot but always manages to walk a steady balance between fun and thought-provoking. The Search for General Tso is available to rent on Amazon Prime.
Somm (2012)
Technically, not a food doc, Somm is a deep dive into the intense extremes that wine experts will go to in order to pass the infamously difficult Master Sommelier test. The exam boasts one of the lowest passing rates in the world and requires test takers to dedicate months, and sometimes years of preparation to it.
The documentary does not shy away from showing the hardships and sometimes comical and bizarre lengths the subjects will go to to pass. The film made such an impact that it spawned two sequels and a streaming network, SOMM TV, helmed by the film’s creator, Jason Wise. It might not be about food per se, but this doc pairs well with any culinary content. Somm can currently be viewed on Amazon Prime.
Spinning Plates (2012)
This documentary by Joesph Levy asks audiences to consider the question: “Why do you go to restaurants?” Covering three distinct establishments, the film is a slice of life that serves plenty of warmth.
From a small-town mom-and-pop eatery, to a Michelin star Chicago kitchen, to a family-run Mexican restaurant, the film covers the economic and emotional tolls and triumphs of not only achieving culinary success but the American dream. As of March 2021, the film is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent (2016)
Wolfgang Puck and Jamie Oliver are some of the most recognizable cooking icons of today. However, long before they became household names, culinary legend, Jeremiah Tower, was one of the first figures to earn the title of celebrity chef. Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent chronicles his rise to fame in the 1970s and the ups and downs of his career, including his tumultuous fallout with fellow chef, Alice Waters and includes appearances from Martha Stewart and the late Anthony Bourdain.
While most culinary documentaries focus on the food, Magnificent narrows in on Tower as a human being and the pressures of maintaining success in an unforgiving and ruthless industry. Netflix is currently hosting the film on their streaming platform.
Kings of Pastry (2009)
Meilleur Ouvrier de France is the Olympics of craftsmanship. Held once every four years in Lyon, France, masters of trade compete to earn the prestigious title of Un des Meilleur Ouvrier de France. The competition includes everything from hairstyling to masonry to pastry-making. In 2009, filmmakers, Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker documented the high stakes pressure of the competition and Kings of Pastry was born.
Following finalists from Chicago’s French Pastry School, as they prepare to obtain confectionary gold, the doc features a lot of sweat and tears. Viewers will wince at the painful sight of sugary sculptures toppling, breaking, and smashing into bits over and over again. It’s a heartbreaking glimpse into the pressure of dreams and proves that, sometimes, dessert isn’t always sweet. Interested viewers can find the film on Fandor.
A Tale of Two Kitchens (2019)
A Tale of Two Kitchens is a bite-sized short documentary, running at 29 minutes in length it is the perfect amuse-bouche to top off an intense and vigorous rerun of Top Chef. The film follows chef Gabriela Cámara as she opens a sister restaurant, Cala, in San Fransico to complement her already established Mexico City restaurant, Contramar.
Director Trisha Ziff juxtaposes the cultural difference between the two establishments, and the lives of the employees who help run them. The overarching theme of the doc is how a healthy employee culture can turn a workplace into a home. The Netflix original short is available for streaming.
For Grace (2015)
The film follows Curtis Duffy, a highly regarded chef based in Chicago, who dreams of making his establishment, Grace, the “best restaurant in the country”. Co-directors Mark Helenowski and Kevin Pang follow Duffy through the construction of Grace and peer into Duffy’s personal life, including his difficult childhood and a family tragedy.
The film focuses on the sacrifices that chefs will go to in order to obtain culinary perfection and the obsessive nature of the food industry, asking if it’ll all be worth it in the end? Grace is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
This documentary is about 85 year old Jiro Ono, the highly regarded master of sushi, and his world famous 10-seat restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro in Japan. It’s not only a portrait of mastery but also about legacy and parent-child dynamics, as it also follows Jiro’s sons Takashi and Yoshikazu. The film explores the detail and technique that goes into perfecting the traditional Japanese dish and when a job isn’t just a means of money but a lifelong passion.
With a masterful soundtrack by cinema legend, Philip Glass, Jiro, is a must-watch for any and every foodie and is available to rent on YouTube.