EPICURIOUS: Basic Skills Challenge
Epicurious’ Basic Skills Challenge asks 50 people to try simple cooking methods and an expert from the Institute of Culinary Education demonstrates the correct technique in this comedic, yet educational series. The grueling production schedule included interviewing 10 to 12 people per day as they complete 13 skills, shooting an entire season of the show in one week. Nearly every episode that I directed has at least one million views.
50 People Try to Crack a Coconut
To date, this episode has more than 12 million views on YouTube. I pitched this idea and had a blast watching each of our guests try something they hadn’t done before using all of the tools that they had at their disposal.
50 People Try to Make a Martini
This is one of my favorite episodes. It was the first time we attempted an alcoholic beverage as part of the series, adding to the logistical challenges of planning the shoot. It became a fun conversation starter and our cast had VERY strong opinions about how a martini should be made.
50 People Try to Cut a Watermelon
The most memorable part of this episode is ordering nearly 65 watermelons and storing them in our prep kitchen throughout the production. Each guest received a full watermelon so they could start their task fresh. The jumbo size of the watermelons added to the humor during this episode.
See more episodes from Seasons 2 and 3 below:
CREDITS:
Season 2:
Director and Producer: Sara Snyder | Associate Director and Producer: Tommy Werner | Directors of Photography: Kevin Dynia, Ben Dewey and Gerard Pickett | Audio: Kathy Lee and Kurt Seery | Culinary Producer: Laura Rege | Culinary Assistant: Katie Stilo and Mandy Maxwell| Culinary Production Assistant: Emma Kazaryan and Seth Hanks| Production Coordinator: Megan O'Donnell| Production Assistant: Wendy Faunce and Carlos Betia
Season 3:
Director: Sara Snyder | Producer: Chauncey Tanton | Directors of Photography: Ben Dewey and Kevin Dynia| Camera Operator: Gerard Pickett and Zachary Eisen | Audio: Kurt Seery | Culinary Producer: Laura Rege and Jennifer Ophir | Culinary Lead: Katherine Lough | Culinary Assistant: Jennifer Ophir, Katherine Lough and Veronica Spera| Culinary Production Assistant: Emma Kazaryan and Seth Hanks| Production Coordinator: Megan O'Donnell| Production Assistant: Wendy Faunce, Annmarie Stec, Allison Ochiltree and Kara Yennaco
Behind the Scenes
Chef Robert Ramsey teaches how to make the perfect scrambled eggs in the Basic Skills Challenge
Conditional hazards of working with culinary beginners
Our food team looks on with horror at one of the methods used by our talent
