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I Can't Stop Laughing at This Parody of 'Chef's Table'
by Mayukh Sen
• March 2, 2017
• 12 Comments
If you’ve ever seen an episode of Chef’s Table, the David Gelb-helmed Netflix show that's now on its third season, you’ll recognize that it's got certain, unmistakable aesthetic flourishes. There are languid, handsome interstitial shots of plaintive chefs, ambling through mossy settings and picking at their naturalistic surroundings; a violin-heavy soundtrack that swells and crescendos in moments of dramatic tension (and nearly drowns the narration); a cogent narrative arc of triumph amidst circumstantial adversity. The production values are enviously high. The episodes are usually reverential of their subject, and more than a little self-serious.
In other words, though I love Chef's Table as much as the next Netflix-watching dude, there's a lot to make fun of.
I’ve been giggling at my desk all morning watching this Portlandia sketch parody the show's stylistic tendencies in under two minutes. Fred Armisen plays Francis Kuko, a man with a vision; he's the proprietor of an “airport-style sushi” restaurant. What follows is a send-up of Chef's Table that's no longer than a minute and a half, and, well, it’s perfect. Have a look. Happy Thursday.
How much do you love Chef's Table? Let us know in the comments.
Comments (12)
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Really enjoyed this. Note to the poster, though, you mean "enviably," not "enviously."
Fabulous!
I love this as I never get the high end anymore (though I love watching it). It allows me to at least be on the HILARIOUS end and remember the REAL end.
This is absolutely hilarious! Bonus: the word "kuko" means "airport" in Japanese.
As someone who lives in Portland this is a double whammy of satire! @mer you're right......where are the tweezers?!?!
Brilliant! THe only thing missing is a close up shot of the chef cooking with tweezers :-)
Hahaha, yes, and with those tweezers, bent way over, hovering intently, while laying down one strand of chive for garnish. :-)
love it! My local supermarket in Dublin has nailed it too, but without the proper soundtrack.
This is the best ever. Can't stop giggling either. Thanks for sharing!
I do like Chef's table for exactly the things you are making fun of. And this video nails the concept!!!!
Fantastic! Chef's Table is one of my pre-bedtime soothers when I am full up on bloody, violent European cop/detective series. I think Trader Joe's has the equivalent of 'airport sushi.'
I love chefs table and this is a genius mockery of it! Hats off to whoever made it!
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