Who knew that a cooking competition that tasks chefs with cooking one of the most dreaded meals -- brunch -- could bring such heart and redeem the meal itself? Co-creator of Schitt's Creek Dan Levy brings to HBO Max its newest cooking sensation: The Big Brunch. From its very beginning, the kitchen and dining room are filled with warmth and a sense of hope and purpose. In similar fashion to the Great British Baking Show, The Big Brunch doesn't deliver drama, but its wholesome nature will keep you coming back for one more bite.
The Big Brunch allows the chefs to embrace and show off the versatility of the midday meal. Levy's big idea and premise for this series showcases the innovative ways to do brunch, and the show itself earns a seat at the table during its eight-episode run. With altruism at the core of its goals, The Big Brunch delivers a warm, charming and winsome reality show that is worth watching, delivering delicious eats and deserving of another season.
Dan Levy's Big Idea
In 2020, during the midst of the pandemic and its demolition of the restaurant industry, Dan Levy had the idea for a cooking competition show that revolves around his favorite meal: brunch. Before calling his managers with the idea, Levy put all of his thoughts to paper, from the bistro-style kitchen to the color of the dining banquette the judges will sit on and to the essence and heart of what the show is. More than ever, the shared experience of gathering around a table with food continues to rise in importance. The ethos of the show is clear: good vibes and the beautiful and profound power of food. An ethos that carries throughout the entire competition, from the judges to the individual challenges to the competing chefs themselves.
Vying for $300,000, each chef is there to compete to win money to help "make a difference." While every story is different, the 10 chefs are given the opportunity to raise awareness for themselves and their business/brand and change their lives. And for anyone that may remain skeptical, The Big Brunch reaches its ultimate goal of making an uplifting competition show that takes audiences on an emotional food journey with its chefs and judges: it's about brunch, and it's bigger than brunch.
The Big Brunch's Charm
From the chefs to the host, judges and fabulous bartender, The Big Brunch is filled to the brim with charm. No chef's story and dream are alike: from a vegan chef trying to purchase the church they use to run their community diner, to the pop-up shop owner who wants to expand their brick-and-mortar restaurant and more. They all have different ideas for how to make a difference in their communities, and all have different paths they want to follow, but they never let their goals and the money get in the way of budding relationships. Encouraging each other, helping carry their dishes to the pass and lending a hand during the cook (even down the semifinals) -- the chefs are supporting one another, while also bringing fresh new takes on cuisine. Cuisine that even took the judges by surprise.
The judging panel is composed of chef and prolific recipe curator Sohla El-Waylly, most popularly known for her time at Bon Appétit’s Test Kitchen; restaurateur Will Guidara, former co-owner of Make It Nice restaurant group and half of the duo that created Eleven Madison Park (ranked No.1 restaurant in the world in 2017); and creator and host of the show Dan Levy, most noticeable from his role as David Rose from the popular TV series Schitt's Creek, and audiences may know him from hosting the Great Canadian Baking Show. Levy sits comfortably in the driver's seat as he leads the show with charm and light that jumps off the screen. El-Waylly sits center stage in the judging and puts on display her knowledge of the culinary world and impressive palate. Guidara rounds out the judging panel perfectly with his knowledge of the restaurant industry, his savvy business acumen and his flare for style and aesthetics. These three together offer insightful critiques for the chefs -- keeping with the show's central theme of altruism and growth -- and are open to learning new techniques and flavor profiles from the contestants.
The judges have undeniable chemistry and a strong dynamic that brings a thoughtful perspective to the show. But what's brunch without a drink? Every week the judges chat it up with the effortlessly cool bartender Xia Rashid as she takes their drink orders, making the classic, reinventing the wheel a few times, and creating new concoctions at the judges' behest. And the show is beautifully brought together by one of the most seen characters in this series: the set. David Korins -- set designer for Hamilton -- delivers again, giving the chefs a fully decked-out and beautiful kitchen and a glitzy bistro-esque dining room and bar for the judges and bartender. The chefs, the host and judges, the bartender, and the set all work together in great harmony to help this show hit its stride early and capture audiences, bringing them along in this emotional food journey.
The Big Yes
Levy's The Big Brunch is an undeniable celebration of brunch and the art of food. Atypical to other cooking competition shows that treat cooking like a sport, The Big Brunch is positive, nourishing and treats cooking like an art form. So much care is put into this show and the chefs themselves, making them feel comfortable with who they are as chefs and pushing them to deliver on that -- not to change to try to fit the judges' palates. And while focusing on the niche meal of brunch, the openness of the judges and the challenges set forth allow for the chefs to be creative in their cooks and bakes -- connecting different food perspectives and flavor profiles and allowing them to showcase who they are on a personal level as well as chefs.
Brunch is a meal that for years has brought friends and family together at the table, and The Big Brunch beautifully achieves the goal of giving the meal the credit it deserves. Since the show's creation, the Warner Bros. Discovery merger has prompted the cancellation of many shows, but what a shame it would be for The Big Brunch to become another casualty. The Big Brunch gave brunch its credit, and HBO Max must give the series itself its credit and renew it for another season.
The Big Brunch is available to stream on HBO Max.