The Cook and the Chef — Season 1

200643 episodes

About this season

The Cook and the Chef was an Australian television series featuring cook Maggie Beer and chef Simon Bryant. The Cook and the Chef was screened on ABC1 and was filmed in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. In July 2009, Maggie and Simon announced they had decided to end the series after four years. The Finale aired on 16 September 2009 with "Party" as the theme of the episode.

Episodes (43)

1. Best in Season

Aired 8 February 2006 • 25 min

Maggie searches the central market for the perfect tomato and makes tomato bruschetta, while Simon prepares pear bruschetta.

2. A Summer Lunch

Aired 15 February 2006 • 25 min

Maggie makes grilled cured squid and Simon makes stuffed squid. After Simon takes Iggy for a coffee and gelati, Maggie and Simon both make their version of gelati affogato.

3. The Orchard

Aired 22 February 2006 • 26 min

Maggie shows how to make a wonderful peach jam, as well as a simple peach and prosciutto salad. Simon uses some of the peach jam and balsamic vinegar to make a Balsamic Ripple Ice Cream.

4. Brunch

Aired 1 March 2006 • 30 min

Simon and Maggie cook scrambled eggs - one with truffles and one with orange zest. Maggie then prepares oat pancakes served with poached peaches, while Simon shares the secrets behind a classic bircher muesli.

5. A Late Summer Lunch

Aired 8 March 2006 • 26 min

Maggie and Simon show their different approaches to cooking. Maggie cooks a hearty meal for the family, while Simon gives a restaurant touch to his meal.

6. Dinner Party for Six

Aired 15 March 2006 • 26 min

Keeping it simple, getting fresh produce in season and preparing everything in advance are the easy steps to dinner party success.

7. Party for 20

Aired 22 March 2006 • 26 min

Maggie asks Simon to help prepare for a party for 20 of her friends. She devises a menu that could be easily doubled or tripled depending on the size of the party.

8. An Autumn Lunch

Aired 29 March 2006 • 26 min

Simon gets the cooking started with a pre-lunch drink of bloody Mary and an oyster. Maggie makes an avocado and tomato jelly, followed by grilled quail and a selection of cheese. Simon ups the ante and makes a heavenly quail.

9. Pizza

Aired 5 April 2006 • 26 min

Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant trade food secrets and debate the best way to cook seasonal produce. It's food you'll want to cook immediately.

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10. Easter

Aired 12 April 2006 • 25 min

Simon instructs one of his pastry chefs to create a chilli Easter egg for Maggie, while Maggie makes a Russian Easter dessert, and heads out into the Adelaide suburbs.

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11. Cooking With Kids

Aired 19 April 2006 • 26 min

Don't know what to do with the kids during school holidays? Don't know what to feed them? Why not get into the kitchen and cook with Maggie and Simon as they prepare kid-friendly dishes.

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12. Cooking with Grapes

Aired 26 April 2006 • 26 min

Raise a toast to the glorious grape as Simon and Maggie celebrate with the fruit of the vine.

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13. BBQs

Aired 3 May 2006 • 26 min

Maggie and Simon celebrate the BBQ and show viewers how to get the most from it - be it for starters, main courses and even desserts!

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14. An Autumn Party

Aired 10 May 2006 • 26 min

We find Maggie and Simon in the courtyard cooking up a storm using Maggie's wood fire oven. It's autumn and quinces and pumpkins are at their peak.

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15. Autumn Fruit and Nuts

Aired 17 May 2006 • 26 min

Maggie visits a winery where everything is done using time honoured methods and uses the by-product of the winemaking process to put a new spin on the good old sausage.

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16. Autumn Fruit and Veg

Aired 24 May 2006 • 26 min

The great variety of autumn fruit and veg on offer has both Maggie and Simon embracing the season.

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17. Favourite Things

Aired 31 May 2006 • 26 min

It's the last week of Autumn and Maggie and Simon are indulging as they showcase a few of their favourite things.

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18. Rubbish Fish

Aired 7 June 2006 • 26 min

Cape Jervis fisherman, Alan Robertson supplies our Cook and Chef with gummy shark and eagle ray, the catch you might have once thrown back, and Maggie and Simon show us why these cheaper fillets are worth a second look.

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19. Oils Ain't Oils

Aired 14 June 2006 • 26 min

Simon and Maggie go a long way to prove that oils just ain't oils as they demonstrate their use for flavour and texture in everything from pasta to pudding.

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20. Catering for Different Diets

Aired 21 June 2006 • 30 min

Maggie and Simon can't bear the thought of anyone missing out on one of life's great pleasures, good food, so they've come up with recipes to convince us that a gluten free diet doesn't have to be a boring one.

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21. Planning

Aired 28 June 2006 • 30 min

Preparing for Christmas in June is not the norm for most of us, but for Maggie and Simon it's the ideal time to plan ahead and 'put down' some ingredients to mature nicely for the festive season.

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22. A German Influence

Aired 5 July 2006 • 30 min

Maggie Beer is passionate about the Barossa Valley. She is a proud spokesperson and enthusiast for the area. Maggie and Simon use the Barossa's German heritage to influence their menus.

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23. Winter and Chocolate

Aired 12 July 2006 • 30 min

Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant show you how to use chocolate in ways that aren't all that bad for you. Maggie whips up an Almond and Prune Slab and Simon tempts taste buds with Chocolate Espresso Pots.

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