Netflix, “Jiro Dreams Of Sushi” Director Team Up For “Chef’s Table”

ESPN isn’t the only platform investing in the “docu-series” format. Netflix has announced a docu-series of its own, and its premise is enough to make foodies salivate. David Gelb, who is best known as the director of Jiro Dreams of Sushi, is the man behind Chef’s Table, a six-part series that will enter the kitchens of the world’s greatest chefs.

The six episodes of Chef’s Table will profile six different chefs across four different continents. Each episode will explore its subject in depth by shining light on his/her life and culinary technique. This premise sounds similar to the one behind Jiro Dreams of Sushi; Gelb’s intimate portrait of the world’s greatest sushi chef is regarded as one of the best documentaries of recent years.

Chef’s Table is part of Netflix’s plan to proliferate exclusive documentary content to its subscribers. “‘We want to continue to support the best in non-fiction storytelling,” said Lisa Nishimura

, Netflix’s VP of Original Documentary and Comedy, at the Toronto International Film Festival.  “While some stories are best told as feature length films, others, like Chef’s Table, greatly benefit from being able to communicate their story in a multi-episodic fashion. We’re fortunate to have the flexibility to match the story with the best format.”

Chef’s Table is also a strong fit for Netflix because it matches the interests of the site’s users. Many people who watched Jiro Dreams of Sushi viewed it on Netflix, and other food-related non-fiction programs–such as PBS’ The Mind of a Chef–have gained Netflix audiences of their own. Chef’s Table will appeal to that crowd when it debuts in 2015.