Netflix is taking it to the streets to satisfy the hunger of cooking lovers. The streaming giant explained in a press release that the new Chef's Table spinoff, titled Street Food , promises to take viewers to "some of the most dynamic cities in the world to explore the rich global street food culture." ". The first season of new series will air globally on April 26 and include destinations in nine Asian countries, "from hawker stalls in Singapore to food trucks in India," with each episode highlighting "stories of perseverance and culture." Breathing life into every country's cuisine. ” Netflix added in a statement.
In a March 20 tweet, director David Gelb called the upcoming nine-episode series "a true labor of love from the Chef's Table team." Meanwhile, " Chef's Table" collaborator, director and producer Brian McGinn also wrote that he was "excited" and teased "some Very exciting stories and delicious destinations we can’t wait to share”.
While Netflix hasn't released any further information yet, including who or which other specific Asian countries will be part of Street Food , Eater noted that the first official photo from the show was taken by Thai chef Jay Fai, aka Bangkok's No. 1 A street restaurant chef earns a Michelin star.
According to Eater, her restaurant Raan Jay Fai in Bangkok's Old Town, known for its signature khai jeaw poo (crab omelet), poo phad phong karee (fried crab in curry) and noodles, has less than ten dishes. Tables and guests often have to wait up to two hours, though, and as a handwritten sign at the register points out, "Times Not Guaranteed."
The Michelin award brings new attention, and Fai, who says she only cooks with "the best ingredients," told Eater she sometimes wishes "the star could be given back to her." This is partly thanks to all the Foodstagram followers. As she further explained, “A lot of people come here just to look and take pictures, not necessarily to eat.”
In the same article, Eater said chef Gaggan Anand, who runs the two-Michelin-star restaurant Gaggan in the Thai capital, made comments that suggested Netflix's new series was tapping into the trend.
"Street food has changed and improved a lot and Michelin judges have to pay more attention to this," he said. "There are more than a hundred Jay Fais in Bangkok. But she became so famous that she caught their attention because of her great work."
Just last month, Chef's Table Season 6 premiered on Netflix and took a similarly global approach, starring chefs from India, Italy and the American South. “Season six is about the journey home,” Netflix said of the latest season, which stars Georgia-born Southern African-American food expert Mashama Bailey, aspiring Dario Cecchini, a veterinarian and butcher, Asma Khan, a British constitutional lawyer and Sean Brock, a southern chef.
The mission of these chefs is still more important than the food on their plates. "I want to use food to connect with people," Khan, who owns London's Darjeeling Express, told Vice ahead of Chef's Table . "I struggle with a lot of issues around racism in this country. In unity comes strength."
In fact, as street food also certainly illustrates, perhaps nothing brings people together like food – whether it comes from a five-star restaurant or a humble push cart.
