Documentary maker Peter L. Stein describes some of the special on- and off-screen challenges of bringing Jacques Pépin’s story to the screen for PBS’s American Masters, and recalls his longtime collaboration with Jacques as producer of many of his early public television series.
“I think one of the special things about Jacques’ own career is that it almost perfectly aligns with and, in some ways, prefigures some of the really important changes in the way Americans view food and the profession of the chef that he himself was either responsible for or was closely connected to and then had some hand in shaping. So, it was a real pleasure to be able to roll back the clock in a way in telling Jacques’ story to remember a time when chefs frankly were hidden behind walls; there was no such thing as open kitchens. People didn’t want to see who was cooking their food… To remember a time when Americans didn’t really have a vocabulary for understanding what the work–the manual craftsmanship–of being a professionally-trained chef was.”
Peter L. Stein, from his filmmaker interview on “Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft”
Documentary filmmaker Peter L. Stein talks about the making of the PBS American Masters’ film “Jacques Pepin: The Art of Craft.” This is one of four films in the “Chef’s Flight” series. Stein has been a longtime collaborator with Jacques, having produced many of his early public television series. The PBS American Masters series “Chef’s Flight” will include three other films: “James Beard: America’s First Foodie”, “Alice Waters and Her Delicious Revolution” and “Julia! America’s Favorite Chef.” These will air at later dates.
Check your local PBS station for air dates.
[…] early interest in food and cooking and his journey to America. The film is produced and directed by Peter L. Stein. Stein has been a longtime collaborator with Jacques, having produced many of his early public […]