13 movies and shows that take us into the Michelin world of restaurants

Being recognized in the Michelin Guide with one, two or three stars is a big deal for restaurants across the world that dream, struggle, and, with a lot of effort and a bit of luck, make it to the coveted list.

Michelin has not been alien to pop culture, especially in the world of film and television where stories introduce the viewer to the Michelin world.

With the Michelin Guide coming to Texas, it’s a good time to grab the popcorn and marathon-watch these movies, shows, and documentaries that give us a glimpse into the effort, stories, and drama experienced around the famous Michelin stars.

Movies

Burnt, 2015

Adam Jones is a renowned chef who achieved fame at a young age, which led him to trouble with drugs and ego issues. Once he overcomes his problems, he tries to expiate himself by leading a restaurant to Michelin stars.

Directed by John Wells. Stars Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, and Daniel Brühl.

Where to watch? Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

The Hundred-Foot Journey, 2014

The Kadam family, whose son Hassam is a culinary novice, is displaced from India. They settle in a village in the South of France, where they open an Indian restaurant right in front of Madame Mallory’s Michelin-starred eatery.

Directed by Lasse Hallström. Stars Helen Mirren, Om Puri and Manish Dayal.

Where to watch? YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play

Tasting Menu, 2013

Chakula restaurant, one of the best restaurants in the world and owned by chef Mar Vidal, will close its doors and have one last night to shine. A select group of people will attend the event, including a couple who broke up but are reunited again just to attend this memorable night.

Directed by Roger Gual. Stars Stephen Rea, Jan Cornet, Claudia Bassols and Vicenta N’Dongo.

Where to watch? Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Tubi

Le Chef / Comme un Chef, 2012

This French comedy is about the story of Jacky Bonnot, a young man who loves to cook and gets near Alexandre Lagarde, a renowned chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant, by painting his house. After some struggles, both start to work together to renovate the restaurant’s menu. But it’s not without drama, due to Lagarde’s stubbornness.

Directed by Daniel Cohen. Stars Jean Reno, Michaël Youn and Raphaëlle Agogué.

Where to watch? YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV

Documentaries

Michelin Stars: Tales from the Kitchen, 2017

This documentary shows the every day life inside Michelin restaurants. It offers an inside look of the real dynamics in the kitchen behind gorgeous and flavorful dishes.

Directed by Rasmus Dinesen. Stars 15 chefs.

Where to watch? Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video

Chef’s Table, 2015-2022

Netflix’s Chef’s Table docuseries goes inside the lives and kitchens of the most renowned chefs in the world. The original series consists of six volumes, plus there are four spinoff series: France, Pastry, BBQ and Pizza.

Created by David Gelb.

Where to watch? Netflix

For Grace, 2015

Curtis Duffy became one of the most acclaimed chefs despite many life tragedies, from the death of his parents to the loss of his own marriage. The documentary also explores the birth and evolution of the restaurant where he worked, the now-closed Grace, which was one of the few three-star restaurants in the U.S.

Directed by Mark Helenowski and Kevin Pang. Stars Curtis Duffy.

Where to watch? Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, Tubi, Roku Channel

Noma: My Perfect Storm, 2015

Chef René Redzepi embarks on a journey to reinvent his restaurant, Noma, after it was named the best restaurant in the world several times. The documentary allows the public to see the kitchen dynamics from the inside, from how they get their ingredients to the process of creation.

Directed by Pierre Deschamps. Stars René Redzepi.

Where to watch? Tubi, YouTube, Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

El Bulli: Cooking in Progress, 2011

El Bulli was considered one of the best restaurants in the world, and this documentary follows chef Ferran Adrià on the journey to create new dishes for his Spanish restaurant, which is closed for six months to prepare for the next season. It is an insider view with no narrator or interviews: The viewer just watches the crew involved in the action.

Directed by Gereon Wetzel. Stars Ferran Adrià.

Where to watch? Kanopy, Hoopla

TV and Streaming

Five Star Chef, 2023-

Chef Michel Roux Jr., who owned Le Gravroche, a two-star Michelin restaurant, embarks on a quest to find the next head chef for the historic Palm Court restaurant at Langham Hotel, one of the most luxurious in London. In the show, seven professional chefs compete for the job.

Produced by Ruth Kelly and Amanda Westwood. Stars Michel Roux Jr., Mike Reid, and Ravneet Gill.

Where to watch? Netflix

The Bear, 2022-

After a tragic moment in his family, Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, an award-winning chef, returns to his hometown of Chicago determined to transform his bankrupted brother’s restaurant into one of the most renowned in the world. The show has been streamed for three seasons.

Created by Christopher Storer. Stars Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliot and Matty Matheson.

Where to watch? Hulu

La Grand Maison Tokyo, 2019-

The Japanese television drama shows the story of Natsuki Obana and Rinko Hayami, who meet by fate and decide to open Le Grand Maison, a French restaurant, in Tokyo. The story showcases the efforts both chefs and their team make to win three stars in the Michelin Guide. The initial scenes of this series were filmed at the three-starred restaurant L’Ambroisie, in Paris.

Written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa. Stars Takuya Kimura, Aki Asakura, Kyôka Suzuki.

Where to watch? No streaming service currently offers this show in the U.S.

Hell’s Kitchen, 2005-

The reality show is hosted by chef Gordon Ramsay, owner of Gordon Ramsay restaurants, one of which (located in London) has held three Michelin stars since 2001. On this show, two teams of chefs compete for a job as head chef at a restaurant. The show has been aired on TV for 19 years in 22 seasons and is available on some streaming platforms.

Created by Gordon Ramsay.

Where to watch? Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Fubo TV, YouTube, Roku Channel.