The Cook and the Chef

Season 1

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.

Where to Watch Season 1

43 Episodes

Best in Season
E1
Best in SeasonMaggie searches the central market for the perfect tomato and makes tomato bruschetta, while Simon prepares pear bruschetta.
A Summer Lunch
E2
A Summer LunchMaggie 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.
The Orchard
E3
The OrchardMaggie 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.
Brunch
E4
BrunchSimon 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.
A Late Summer Lunch
E5
A Late Summer LunchMaggie 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.
Dinner Party for Six
E6
Dinner Party for SixKeeping it simple, getting fresh produce in season and preparing everything in advance are the easy steps to dinner party success.
Party for 20
E7
Party for 20Maggie 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.
An Autumn Lunch
E8
An Autumn LunchSimon 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.
Pizza
E9
PizzaMaggie 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.
Easter
E10
EasterSimon 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.
Cooking With Kids
E11
Cooking With KidsDon'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.
Cooking with Grapes
E12
Cooking with GrapesRaise a toast to the glorious grape as Simon and Maggie celebrate with the fruit of the vine.
BBQs
E13
BBQsMaggie and Simon celebrate the BBQ and show viewers how to get the most from it - be it for starters, main courses and even desserts!
An Autumn Party
E14
An Autumn PartyWe 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.
Autumn Fruit and Nuts
E15
Autumn Fruit and NutsMaggie 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.
Autumn Fruit and Veg
E16
Autumn Fruit and VegThe great variety of autumn fruit and veg on offer has both Maggie and Simon embracing the season.
Favourite Things
E17
Favourite ThingsIt's the last week of Autumn and Maggie and Simon are indulging as they showcase a few of their favourite things.
Rubbish Fish
E18
Rubbish FishCape 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.
Oils Ain't Oils
E19
Oils Ain't OilsSimon 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.
Catering for Different Diets
E20
Catering for Different DietsMaggie 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.
Planning
E21
PlanningPreparing 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.
A German Influence
E22
A German InfluenceMaggie 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.
Winter and Chocolate
E23
Winter and ChocolateMaggie 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.
In The Hills
E24
In The HillsWhen Simon returned to Adelaide, after studying to be a chef, he had a whole new appreciation for the Adelaide Hills.
Old Favourites
E25
Old FavouritesMaggie and Simon bring back some Old Favourites and, of course, reveal secrets that take your cooking to another level.
Winter Comfort Food
E26
Winter Comfort FoodIt’s time to shake off the winter blues with a serve of piping hot comfort food.
Citrus
E27
CitrusCitrus is often considered a basic ingredient, but Simon and Maggie are convinced that it deserves more of a starring role in our kitchens so this week they give it its place in the sun.
An English Theme
E28
An English ThemeSimon’s on a mission to get back to his English “Food Roots” with classic ingredients like Stilton Cheese and Pork sausages.
Kangaroo Island
E29
Kangaroo IslandAround fourteen kilometres off the coast of South Australia lies a beautiful and unspoilt piece of land.
A Sunday Roast
E30
A Sunday RoastThere is nothing like a leg of spring Lamb for the perfect Sunday Roast.
Spring has Sprung
E31
Spring has SprungIts time to throw open the window, peel off the winter woollies and marvel at and the wonders of the new season.
Just Veg
E32
Just VegLonger days and a more generous serving of sun; spring has arrived, and it’s the perfect time to get into fresh vegies.
Fresh or Frozen
E33
Fresh or FrozenMaggie & Simon set out to prove that some frozen produce not only has its merits but in some cases, has its advantages.
Blondes have more fun
E34
Blondes have more funChefs love working with colour and contrast, but Maggie and Simon love a challenge so this week they’re going blonde.
It's Offal
E35
It's OffalWhen ‘offal’ is mentioned most of us think of the internal organs of animals, but the word also refers to anything that is considered worthless or thrown away.
A Moveable Feast
E36
A Moveable FeastIt’s the middle of spring and the sunshine and longer days are a great excuse for people to get together and enjoy good company and good food.
Shellfish
E37
ShellfishIf you’re a lover of shellfish, this one’s for you.
Cooking with Friends
E38
Cooking with FriendsOn today’s menu Maggie & Simon visit a couple of cooking mates & mentors, who have played a part in their professional & personal lives.
Bush Tucker
E39
Bush TuckerThis week on the show Maggie and Simon go ‘wild’ by cooking up some dishes using ingredients that are not farmed.
BBQ Party
E40
BBQ PartyThe warm spring days in the Barossa Valley are perfect for a barbecue and this week Maggie & Simon make the most of the weather to turn on the gas and start sizzling some of their favourite ingredients.
Say Cheese
E41
Say CheeseThere’s cheese, cheese and more cheese in this episode of The Cook and The Chef.
Holiday Picnic
E42
Holiday PicnicSummer’s just around the corner and soon the days in the Barossa Valley will be hot and the risk of snakes too high to roam far, so Maggie is making the most of the last mild weather.
Christmas
E43
ChristmasChristmas is fast approaching, but for some of us that brings the annual stress of working out how to feed a big group! This week Maggie and Simon demonstrate that cooking a Christmas lunch or dinner doesn’t have to be stressful, as they share some great tips on presenting simple but delicious Christmas fare, using turkey as the centre dish..