Parents' Guide to

Take Home Chef

By Lucy Maher, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Cooking show is endearing, but lacks bite.

TV TLC Reality TV 2006
Take Home Chef Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Julie McGonagle
Julie McGonagle Adult
February 7, 2021
age 16+

Filming

What is happening with the cameras? I am seeing a lot of cabinets and ceilings and foreheads. Why did they air this poor quality filming? I love Curtis stone but this is way bad
moviemadness
moviemadness Adult
April 16, 2009
age 10+

Take Home Chef is Cute, But Predictable

The Take Home Chef is a handsome Aussie (lots of flirting ensues) with a gift for cooking fabulous meals for women and their significant others. In each show, he approaches a woman at a grocery store and returns home with her to cook dinner. The food is yummy, and the couple (or family) always enjoys it. Take Home Chef is a fun, but not fabulous, show.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

TAKE HOME CHEF serves up viewers a half-hour of home cooking as an unsuspecting shopper is whisked from the grocery store and treated to a personal food preparation lesson in his or her own kitchen. Australian-born chef/author Curtis Stone serves as the show's host and cooking instructor. In each episode, Stone zeros in on a shopper and guides cameras around the aisles as he and his new student work together to choose the ingredients for the meal they're going to prepare. Next stop: the shopper's home, where Stone provides meal preparation tricks and tips. At the end of each episode, the shopper's family returns home to a surprise gourmet meal.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Foodies will appreciate the insider tricks that Stone divulges. For example, in one episode, he suggests spearing grilled shrimp with slices of sugarcane rather than plain wood skewers to make the food sweeter. Viewers looking for compelling reality fare may be disappointed -- Stone's energy and useful tips help keep viewers' attention, but the episodes feel a bit weak without the surprises, challenges, or suspenseful moments inherent in most reality TV -- but fans of cooking shows will likely find Take Home Chef tasty enough.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the risks of talking to strangers. Why is it important to be alert in public places? What should kids do if they're approached by a stranger? Families with older children can discuss how to prepare a meal. Why do you read a recipe? How do you time your cooking so that all the elements are ready in time? Or take it one step further and make a meal together.

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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