$162 vs $19 Fried Chicken: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients | Epicurious

The original Ingredient Swap duo returns as professional chef instructor Frank Proto and home cook extraordinaire Lorenzo trade fried chicken recipes and hit the kitchen. We set Lorenzo up with $162 worth of ingredients and Frank's recipe while sending just under 20 bucks worth of goods back to our esteemed expert. As is customary, food scientist Rose dialed in to assist Lorenzo along the way. How did his skills stack up against Frank's expert level recipe? What tricks can Frank break out to improvise his way up to gourmet?
Follow Lorenzo at @rollinabenzo
Check out chef Frank on his KZbin Channel, ProtoCooks!
/ @protocookswithcheffrank
Follow him on Instagram at @protocooks
Rose is on Instagram at @rosemarytrout_foodscience
Director: Cory Cavin
Director of Photography: Joel Kingsbury
Editor: LJ D'Arpa
Talent: Frank Proto
Talent: Lorenzo Beronilla
Sr. Culinary Director: Kelly Janke
Producer: Isabel Alcantara
Culinary Producer: Kat Boytsova
Culinary Associate Producer: Jessica Do
Line Producer: Jennifer McGinity
Associate Producer: Alicia Aswat
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Camera Operators: Miguel Zamora, Kirsten Potts
Audio: Rebecca O'Neil
Production Assistant: Amara McNeil
Post Production Supervisor: Stephanie Cardone
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: Andy Morrell
Graphics Supervisor: Ross Rackin
Graphics, Animation, VFX: Léa Kichler
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[@VerhoevenSimon]

I love seeing Frank and Lorenzo pair up, and always nice to see their cooking techniques explained.

[@bungbloopity]

Frank and Lorenzo are the best pair on this channel hands down. So much energy

[@andrewmorley3497]

@@bungbloopity yeah 100% agreed

[@carolellis7496]

@@andrewmorley3497 bon appetit

[@EpicAndrew97]

They’ve done this six times, it’s amazing, here’s a playlist i made of all of them kzbin.info/aero/PLrd06eTLzwlAltkncjeHZ776m_pebLp5E

[@BenBenBenBenBenBenBenBenBenB3n]

This might sound a tad exaggerated, but I sincerely think this series is important. It shows 2 essential things: Even the most complex aspects of cooking are approachable by non-professionals (although it might take a bit of time to perfect), and you don't need expensive ingredients to make delicious, unique and creative dishes as long as you know what you're doing. All in a very fun and dynamic format. Thank you epicurious

[@ichsagnix4127]

I think the main difference between amateur and professionals is the ability to proper and lean time management and efficient splitting of different tasks that contribute to the whole.

[@BenBenBenBenBenBenBenBenBenB3n]

@@ichsagnix4127 I agree with you, and I also think that professionals are more taught about being creative in a kitchen, where most homecooks are happy with following pre-established recipes, or at least won't deviate too much from them

[@kunoichichica]

I don't think you sound exaggerated at all! I totally agree with you, in fact.

[@Mxtth3w._gt]

W

[@Ilsezwarts]

This series taught me how to prepare broccoli in a manner that doesnt make it as bitter. I LOVE broccoli now

[@deathlyshuriken1540]

Rose: It sounds like heaven! Lorenzo: It looks like hell! That may be my new favorite line from these vids. Lorenzo is the best.

[@Tenhys]

What i like the most about this series is how absolutely unapologetic Frank is enjoying the abusing of his co-workers with a complete shenanigan festival of "over-the-top" ingredients for everyone else to cook, to a quite near sociapathic level ; he's screwing with them all the way up and down, absolutely loving every second of it. You can just feel it (especially with the parmesan cheese wheel. That one was clearly a cut above.)

[@TheTobes99]

But then He's super encouraging when a good job is done. He's just a good dude.

[@fabledfantasty7343]

Abuse? Maybe a little ball busting, but I wouldn't call it abusive.

[@TheTobes99]

@@fabledfantasty7343 agreed. Whole point of the series is challenging someone and them learning new skills.

[@Tenhys]

@@fabledfantasty7343 The face of utter shadenfreude he displayed during the 1425$ parmesan cheese wheel pasta shenanigan tells otherwise. And i unapologitically enjoyed every second of it.

[@Am_Cookie2436]

@@Tenhys This is gold. And I learned a new word, "shadenfreude"

[@DudeImFonz]

I love how nice everyone is in this series. Not drama filled like American TV cooking shows. Just fun and informative with good people

[@JohnyScissors]

Gotta be one of the home cook friendliest channels out there that isn't just recipe videos

[@loriki8766]

I used to love Food Network but then they ditched the actual cooking shows for things like "Giant Troll Travels and Eats Huge Hamburgers" (ok, I forgot the actual name), "People Cook Cupcakes out of Gross Crap", and "Alton Brown Tortures Contestants While they Try to Make Food From Weird Things" and endless cooking competitions: "Oh NO! Only 30 seconds left!!! Can they plate their goo in that amount of time!!!! Whew! They did it. Now watch the judges eat the undercooked chicken".

[@jonathanfarmer9899]

You telling me Me and Fineokay both like Optic, Epicurious series and Smite? We are basically the same person. I might have a slightly smaller penis though.

[@In6ig0]

Fineo your one of my favorite KZbinrs and the fact you watch this makes me like you more

[@leonhardable]

I think some of the chefs are overacting, or at least come around that way (honestly, lorenzo is just tooo much for me, to a point where i dont believe him), but yes, i agree. no annoying scripts or forced reaction, just people thrown into a situation

[@youri737]

I just think that Lorenzo and Frank are THE BEST together. I love every single episode with these two! Legends!!

[@jaxdomi5795]

FOR REAAAAL

[@jtanalgo]

I saw Lorenzo in a training video at work. I was sad Frank wasn’t in the video also. 😂

[@cyberpunkcentral8500]

Is he an actor? ​@@jtanalgo

[@kebjamora]

Frank: Instead of the waffles, I made a biscuit. Lorenzo: Of course you did. 🤣

[@Mister_Clean]

The man really wanted to make a biscuit

[@adyasingh6210]

Since fried chicken was too easy, frank just had to make his own bread, milk and oil. Next time, you can even make fresh bread for breadcrumbs.

[@peggedyourdad9560]

This is assuming he didn't raise the chicken lol.

[@alitzzy]

There is at least one video with making your own breadcrumbs. With Desi as level 1. Hilarious.

[@kunoichichica]

I've been watching this series and 4 Levels religiously since they started on YT and I just wanna take a moment to say that this series really was a stroke of brilliance; the sheer amount of knowledge I've amassed from literally just watching and learning from ALL these chefs (yes, even the level 1s and 2s) is honestly insane. It's educational, entertaining, each of the chefs all have beautiful souls and interesting personalities that shine through on screen and watching them be passionate and excited about the food they're cooking is really quite a joy. :) A big thanks to Epicurious, the cast and the crew of this show. 👏🏾🙌🏾 you guys are doing phenomenal work. Sidenote: Thanks to this series, Frank will have discovered over 100 different ways to cook with pickle juice 😂

[@angeliglesiasramirez5757]

Totally agree! This series is my holy bible and I've learn lots of things about cooking with them! Actually for my mom's birthday I made her a "Paella" inspired by this channel and everyone said it was their best paella ever. It melt my heart 🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@lucymoir2082]

100% with u, it’s insane how much i know about cooking and baking purely off 4 levels and cheap vs expensive ingredients but i love it

[@DatGameGod]

i was going to write an essay of my own, but you beat me to it! in all seriousness, this show has taught me so much. Here's to Frank and Lorenzo, the perfect pairing for this show!

[@aohdan5713]

I selectively watch the ones with Emily Lorenzo and frank, hence why I’m watching this video

[@mrdevillk]

Your recipe is awesome and will go very high.of course it will be very tasty to eat.😋 I love it .I will definitely try it.You will tell me in the comments. How do you like my recipe?Thanks.

[@Am_Cookie2436]

Lorenzo immediately knew who his counterpart was when he saw that tray of shenanigans

[@BenBenBenBenBenBenBenBenBenB3n]

The amount of Joy that Lorenzo exhudes about the crispy bits is truly inspiring

[@Mister_Clean]

@kadi jomi Fair enough, but if you want the real thing, you have to buy extra ingredients. Nothing is sold by the tablespoon.

[@HIWA214]

Frank is such a good teacher , I could learn with his thorough explanations!

[@TheTobes99]

He has his own channel Protocooks

[@mrdevillk]

Your recipe is awesome and will go very high.of course it will be very tasty to eat.😋 I love it .I will definitely try it.You will tell me in the comments. How do you like my recipe?Thanks.

[@jordanbrown3314]

Please do an April Fools episode where they make their own recipes. Just for a quick change up. Plenty of time to plan. 😁

[@SireneKalypso]

How would they be fooled if they know their own recipes haha

[@emilydieu7351]

Because they expect to do each other’s recipes but this time they would do their normal ones

[@dvklaveren]

From what I've seen, they order their own ingredients as if they're going to do the "3 levels of X recipe" format and only learn on the day itself which format they'll be shooting. I think so because Frank does this to himself for the 3 levels videos too

[@sngahuiam]

A good April fools would be if they gave frank a "normal" recipe but in reality its another chefs recipe and is as intricate as franks usual recipes.

[@aw3855]

FRANK AND LORENZO LETS GOOOOO!

[@stardustdragon1498]

You can't beat the combination!

[@juliabishop1408]

Wooooooooooooooooooo! 😃

[@LesterCastor]

Best combo

[@joshscorcher]

Every other Swap Ingredients Episode, someone inevitably goes: "FRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANK!"

[@JustMe-ck3xz]

I love how they switch because it shows us that we can all attempt next level cooking and the demonstrations are really easy to follow. Don’t be afraid to expand!

[@peeenguinne3858]

I have been waiting for fried chicken in Pro vs. Home cook. Chef's in this series tend to explain a lot of really important things in cooking in relation to the dish.

[@janakovacikova29]

I love learning from these

[@mrdevillk]

Your recipe is awesome and will go very high.of course it will be very tasty to eat.😋 I love it .I will definitely try it.You will tell me in the comments. How do you like my recipe?Thanks.

[@JH.K]

I watch a lot of the KZbin shorts where cooks make these delicious meals and just eat what they've created in front of the camera themselves and my favorite part of this episode is that they actually share each other's creations! Love watching them interact and enjoy each other's food!

[@amberlee4536]

Every episode of this with Frank results in the home cook yelling "FRANK" every time and I'm here for it. Like I'm convinced he picks the most complicated and expensive ingredients he can solely to mess with them.

[@TheTobes99]

But when they do a good job he praises them. Win/Win

[@ylive5169]

Anyone else just love watching Lorenzo for the laughs?? 😂

[@Miner3751]

These 2 should honesty have their own show, no other duo can cross their path

[@puckmarin]

Here’s a pitch: Frank and Lorenzo cooking something TOGETHER. Collaboratively working on the dish. I think that would be so fun to watch.

[@mismatched0socks_722]

6:29 I choked on my drink after Lorenzo said that I was laughing so hard.

[@strawberrycupcake6473]

I believe whenever it’s Lorenzo going against frank franks tries to think of the most out there recipe just to make it more chaotic 😭😭

[@majoyap3403]

I love to see Frank and Lorenzo swapping recipes every time. I just feel Lorenzo's real stress and anxiety in learning and making, yet having fun while doing it and happiness in accomplishing it. And I felt Chef Frank's sincerity in complimenting Lorenzo's work. And this made me crave in the middle of the night.

[@StarClearSky]

Best combo of people on this show if that makes sense

[@TheLonelyLuneon]

Rose, Lorenzo and Frank in *1* video????? What a treat!!!! :D I love this combination of people so much, they mesh so well together

[@RapidCityJM]

Chef Frank: so the first thing you want to do is domesticate your own jungle fowl and crossbreed it until you've made your own chicken...

[@ritikavaswanii6248]

I think it would be super fun if rose cooked in one of the series

[@edwardboland4015]

The other chef would be screwed

[@ayltonnakamura6619]

Lorenzo happened to be at the grand opening of Jollibee in Times Square. Saw him on TV. Love his sense of humor! Never gets old!

[@koololdster]

Love these two! Any time, any recipe, Frank & Lorenzo are perfect together!

[@tcccgcoco6654]

LMAOOOO 'It looks like HELL' 🤣🤣🤣

[@dodorichard]

Two of my favorite people doing another challenge, just listen to them banter to no one in particular makes me smile so hard.

[@oatfarmer6501]

Usually I enjoy the 4 levels more, but the techniques they show here are very educational. Thank you!

[@zUltraXO]

What I like about this series is that the home cooks get to learn more advanced stuff and the pro chefs get to show off their skills in limited situations

[@danielsetiadi1183]

quotes of the day by Chef Frank : "Inflation kills everyone"

[@andrewclaassen9595]

Not Lorenzo being the main character of the universe again

[@hellobruh4209]

Best duo on here would love to buy em both beers 👍

[@lucaschang689]

Gonna need more than 1 beer for Chef Frank!

[@rieskimo]

@@lucaschang689 even better

[@ghettoasfuckxp]

I still have nightmares from Lorenzo’s laugh

[@StephanieGould]

Lorenzo's personality is the best. And I love when he's paired with Frank. They're the best!

[@Selahsmum]

I dont know about anyone else, but I watch the videos of these two for two reasons. 1) I like to see what chef does with the every-day ingredients to make them a bit tastier (because thats what I work with but want all the technique I can get) and 2) to see Lorenzo's blessed reactions. The man could be a comedian. :)

[@srendull8227]

For me the best food tv show. Period.

[@steviebyers3161]

Dude he has to be my favorite pro chef on this series ❤️

[@spaghetti9845]

i've spent a stupid amount of time on youtube and this is honestly one of the most wholesome channels. Frank all around seems to be a really nice guy who loves sharing his knowledge.

[@slinfear]

I honestly can NOT get enough of this show!! I'm a new cook.. (Even WITH an Assoc of Arts in Culinary Arts!!) I got the degree in prison for learning how to make scrambled eggs and bacon for inmates.. (oooo.. exciting..) I have recently started actually APPLYING what I learned (after 30+ years..) and actually making recipes.. The wife absolutely LOVES some recipes (as do strangers I offer tastes to at work..) I'm actually considering applying for the next season of America's Top Chef (IF they have another season..) THIS series is SOO inspirational it's unreal!)

[@Zero0Zero0000]

Please do a pro vs pro challenge in which they both cook using the ingredients picked by an amateur chef. I really wanna see what Frank and Esther would do with the same $15 worth of ingredients.

[@eshaaljahangir]

i love lorenzo hes my favourite home cook. his energy is contagious

[@gvantsasakaruli9900]

i love these series because i learn how to make tasty, restaurant looking food at home with cheap ingredients. which really is something that's missing from most of the shows, also i get nice advices such as "splash the cameraman, not yourself"

[@PlanetDallas]

My favorite duo Frank and Lorenzo 🙌🏽 They need a show together

[@konstantinradislov4150]

2:26 Rose : Sounds like heaven Lorenzo : It's look like Hell... 🤣🤣🤣

[@jeff__w]

“Originally, Lorenzo gave me ingredients to make chicken and waffles. I’m going in a different direction-I’m going to make _Suprême de volaille rôti, champignons de Paris cuisinés à la moutarde à l'ancienne.”_

[@stevemanart]

Frank, more than any of the Level 3's on this sub-series feels like he goes out of his way to not only challenge but teach new skills to the other cook. Give it some time and Lorenzo might even level ip to 2.5.

[@alaina244]

I love Frank and Lorenzo 😂I always have a good laugh with these two

[@alchemo]

I usually separate those crispy bits from the lard in small portions, keep the the freezer and use them in stir fry veggies, like cabbage. One may also reheat them, and toss some into a fry noodle right before serving.

[@TheRemiCay]

YES! The power team showing skills & heart! Nicely done, both look incredibly delicious

[@Singsonggirl]

I love watching the home cooks tackle the expensive recipes for entertainment, while I always learn so much from the pros cooking with the simpler ingredients. Especially Frank, Saul and Lish, there are such good tips, tricks and ideas in there!

[@nanditanitu2181]

when the price telling segment comes and frank says the exact price,it's the cherry on the top moment for me!

[@miadodson1938]

I love this show....and I always buy the whole chicken and cut it up myself, it's SO MUCH cheaper, and you get so much more out of it.

[@mycattypedthis2827]

Frank and Lorenzo have this kind of magical chemistry no other duo have, you can't get enough of these two together!

[@AlexIsModded]

This series does something that no other can do: be entertaining and educational at the same time.

[@haleywagner3144]

Thank you chef Frank for using the wet hand dry hand method. I see a lot of pro chefs forget this and it makes me second guess everything they do.

[@cardsharks9751]

You know, first episode of the recipe swap with Frank and Lorenzo, I thought Lorenzo was annoying as hell. Now when I see Frank and Lorenzo it's an instant watch from me. Frank's calmness perfectly contrasts with Lorenzo's chaotic nature. The Yin and Yang dynamic between the two has made me grown to love them both. It's perfectly balanced, it's art.

[@MarcotheKorean]

Fried chicken is supposed to be simple and affordable.. the star is the brine, batter and the chicken and right amount of seasonings. Simplicity at its best for one of America's comfort foods.

[@hungrybesties]

Awesome cooking! The food looks so yummy! Great! Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!

[@toregenekhatun480]

Just love these two and the series on the whole, great job

[@gooseapartment7129]

im ridiculously obsessed with this series but i just want one episode where the pro chef gives something virtually impossible n our home cook puts their spin on it

[@troycantdraw6159]

I love watching the Pro vs Home cook swap videos especially when its frank and lorenzo, because its always fun to watch lorenzo discover new ways of cooking things and then frank just showing off why he's called the Pro Chef

[@TruePerception]

What happened to those crispy pork bits? I thought for sure he'd share them with Frank.

[@shawarmayt6277]

I love the Frank and Lorenzo duo, they r the best!

[@antoniogabrielpagan2166]

I love it when frank says Lorenzo's waffles but my biscuits

[@glossaria2]

$25 for LARD, Frank? You're killin' me here.

[@nobitsnoshoes]

love Lorenzo. he cracks me up.

[@tconlon251]

I hear Frank also has a $2200 version. The first $2,000 is used to bribe a KFC employee for the 11 herbs & spices

[@milanbraaksma5214]

they're back yet again, best duo

[@matijaslat2100]

amazing, love this format

[@MonkeyDRicky]

LOVE THESE TWO

[@xXxJinxed1xXx]

This is always so wholehearted

[@bickybiswas]

Lorenzo reminds me of a friend in my college who had a very sweet smile and looked just like him. We were great friends until he stole & sold my DSLR which took me 1 year of Savings. Very bad experience of betrayal, cudn’t believe for months tht sm1 looking so sweet can do that. Remember guys, don’t trust anyone 100%. U might thank me one day.

[@BunnyFett]

My two favorite people from this show. Love them.

[@srafkoco6985]

i love this show educating and funny :) keep the good work !

[@Icylus_]

frank and lorenzo name a more iconic duo

[@8556126]

Hmmm Frank's glaze is very close to the base of my mum's pickled garlic. Just add date syrup and they are basically the same. As always I love how fun AND educational these are.

[@shjktvbh]

They make cooking look really fun. I love it!

[@honzis6089]

This duo is just legendary!

[@MikeyTheMikesterIII]

Idk what it is but their chemistry is the best out of all. I love em

[@hhannde6]

He is the most fun to watch out of all home cooks I think

[@annetteferrer1515]

Lorenzo, you just have such a great personality and attitude! Also, you make me proud! 🇵🇭 Awesome job, guys. Now I want me some fried chimken!

[@sumedhraosurendramalandkar4056]

THE BEST DUO EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mangopilar]

Wow they are great sports, to learn from one another and their cooking techniques.

[@marleyrothstein7974]

lorenzo is such a happy soul

[@KeeKster_07]

7:22 “CRISPY BITS” 😂😂😂

[@crisf7500]

So nice to learn while being totally entertained by these two. I will have to try this and the carbonara Lorenzo made using Frank's recipe sometime!🤩

[@MyNameJefff]

Lorenzo is always a joy to watch

[@Samulisami]

I would love to see a video of Frank and Lorenzo just talking about food and cooking stuff. Would be so awesome!

[@rassobrandl4616]

i can say Lorenzo is the coolest dude i have ever seen on youtube and i love that series

[@theaccountcreated8962]

I love when they try each other’s food.

[@thenedanocap7673]

This show makes you hungry even more when you're sick.

[@bimoprakoso2820]

When Frank said "I dont want to cook that anyway" does he prank Lorenzo to cook it? He is trolling hahahaha poor Lorenzo....but it's fun anyway.

[@funnypantshd150]

it's frank and lorenzo and my favorite food

[@Anna-vo8el]

This i call perfect Timing! I just put out chicken from the freezer and I'm ready for some inspiration✌️