$311 vs $17 Tempura: Pro Chef & Home Cook Swap Ingredients | Epicurious

Professional chef Taka Sakaeda, owner of Nami Nori, and home cook Gabi are swapping tempura recipes and hitting the kitchen! We set Gabi up with the finest ingredients from chef Taka’s kitchen along with his $311 tempura recipe. Meanwhile over on the other side, chef Sakaeda was taking Gabi's simpler instructions and remixing them up to gourmet status. Which tempura looks most tempting to you?
Director: Chris Principe
Director of Photography: Ben Dewey
Editor: Manolo Moreno
Talent: Taka Sakaeda
Talent: Gabi Chappel
Sr. Culinary Director: Kelly Janke
Producer: Michael Cascio
Culinary Producer: Jessica Do
Culinary Associate Producer: Katrina Zito
Line Producer: Jennifer McGinity
Associate Producer: Tim Colao
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Director of Photography: Ben Dewey
Camera Operator: Kyle LeClaire
Audio: Rachel Suffian
Production Assistant: Alexia Hall
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward
Graphics Supervisor: Ross Rackin
Graphics, Animation, VFX: Léa Kichler
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[@Ryan_gogaku]

Still hoping some day we'll see two pros switch expensive ingredients with each other and see what they do with really great stuff.

[@jayharv285]

That wouldn't be all that entertaining

[@inshort6831]

I mean Gabi is a culinary art producer and seasonal chef according to her website

[@awesomestuff9715]

maybe instead of that, give them a selection of ingredients, and don't tell them wat to make at all, kinda like a cooking challenge

[@andshetoldmetoleave]

You mean like, Chopped?

[@melissafields3376]

@@awesomestuff9715 that's a great idea. Then have the chefs tell what they were make!! It'd be very entertaining

[@mbe67]

That knife work tho

[@masterchief7301]

Those carrots were cut to perfection

[@ZHL242]

Lmao "lemme just turn on _turbo mode"_

[@todgerino3475]

japanese knife skills just hit different

[@daviddemoise3526]

I’d watch the same 19 minutes of video if it was just him cutting things up.

[@Troglodyte]

He makes me feel like a 3rd grader with plastic scissors.

[@MrDrummerDeluxe]

I'm just stunned by all the different techniques of Chef Taka, the way he cuts or makes the mushroom salt. Really creative way to use the ingredients he was given.

[@kristianlamprecht4831]

I don't know if Gabi can be considered a 'home cook' anymore given that she went to the Institute of Culinary Education for a while but it's great to see her back!

[@soumyajitmandal6028]

I mean she isn't exactly a professional either.

[@adnarimnotsob6088]

Gabi is in Culinary Limbo

[@adriflux7704]

@@adnarimnotsob6088 Hey, culinary limbo is where my grandma’s at, so that’s a high bar. Props to Gabi.

[@camille98tt]

@@soumyajitmandal6028 still not a regular home chef either.

[@victorrmaciel6021]

Do you know her ig?

[@juandavid5673]

13:38 Gabi: "This is when you know you're doing this for a chef: when you bring out the food scale". Chef Taka: "just eyeballing here". Great editing. I cracked.

[@AmoebaCel]

Wow, Taka guessed the price without hesitation. +1 to the chef!

[@fromnaras]

Chef Taka is soooo good at explaining and being excited about his own food! He truly loves what he does

[@jasmineraww]

Chef Taka's knifes skills tho 🔥

[@paolasanchez8700]

True master, amazing to watch

[@deidrebetts2936]

Alright, chef taka needs to do a video on his knife skills because those are some of the best knife skills I've ever seen

[@j9670]

Love watching Gabi's positive energy! Please feature her more often! 🙂

[@ZenoxSC]

Amen to that

[@LifeWith700]

We only live physically once so we shouldn’t be afraid to do anything bro, i smoke weed on my KZbin channel and i do food videos too, screw anyones opinion brotha😪

[@ChidoDeLaSierra]

I'm so glad she's back. We haven't seen her in awhile, and I would like to see her more often as well. She's my favorite.

[@charkizzzy]

@@ChidoDeLaSierra was thinking the same, she's one of the best home cooks but if I'm not mistaking I believe she was in culinary school

[@ChidoDeLaSierra]

@@charkizzzy yes. I think she’s striving to be a chef. Can’t wait to see her here as that.

[@Ryan_gogaku]

Anago fileting is no joke at all. That's genuinely very impressive!

[@heiloniris1747]

chef taka rlly be flexing his knife skills omg

[@LydiaTarine12]

It looks like they've decided to just have the pro-chef's do what Rose used to with this show, which makes sense.

[@bobbysmith8095]

WHAT happen to ROSE?

[@christinebaldridge2357]

@@bobbysmith8095 I was about to ask the same thing

[@naomiarram5187]

​@@bobbysmith8095 she's still around for the other videos (4 levels), but I think here it wasn't really necessary to have her

[@johrathbun]

Bummer, I liked the science side that she brought to this show...

[@adnanomer9089]

I think gabi just didn't need the help because she is a culinary student herself

[@tinaphobia]

Never imagined he’s gonna make salt out of mushrooms 😮 feels like magic

[@mspirits9911]

I love watching Chef Taka's video everytime. Seriously, always something new to learn. Mushroom Salt? Never have I imagine.

[@erly108]

Yay, I love Gabi! I just made tempura for New Years because the soba noodles I tried to make from scratch failed miserably 😂 Hot tip: kumquat tempura was surprisingly very good!

[@ShiningAndStarstruck]

Hehehe. KUMquat.

[@sepi_]

@@ShiningAndStarstruck :/

[@ShiningAndStarstruck]

@@sepi_ ✌️😘

[@christiprice893]

My toddler won’t let me be great and watch this. If Frank isn’t there, he cries. 😂😂😂

[@youaintgettingmyhandle]

So do I and I’m 30-something. 😂

[@maromania7]

He also has his own channel, in case you aren't aware and looking for more Frank content. ProtoCooks with Chef Frank. Emily also has one, No Expert with Emily Duncan, they occasionally do videos together.

[@RobertPeters4674]

More videos with Taka and/or Gabi please Epicurious. Great video today!

[@revvend]

His knife techniques are mindblowing, he must have been a samurai or a ninja in his previous life. 👍

[@matantan1111]

Or in his current life....

[@revvend]

@@matantan1111 🤣🤣🤣 good one 👍

[@princess12274]

It been a while since we seen gabi 🥺🥺

[@astone1]

Trueeee

[@princess12274]

@@astone1 I'm glad she's back

[@bobsaul4568]

Yes, glad there’s a real woman here again!

[@JP-jd8wr]

She's one of my favorites

[@rishabhpb]

@@bobsaul4568 ...what

[@kitherit]

I've loved so many of the people featured on this series, but there is something about watching Chef Taka and his amazing knife skills that was absolutely fascinating!!

[@LakshayKukreja11]

So proud of Gabi! She's so calm and collected, and has a positive attitude. So talented and absolutely adorable!

[@polarberri]

Another great episode!! I like this format where the pro chef informs on the process. They both did amazing!

[@TheGlamorousLifeofNae]

Both of them did so great! & such beautiful plating! 🙌🏽☺️

[@sareenaislam3080]

He’s next level bruhhh, I haven’t seen other pro chef’s put so much twist

[@benjaminmurray455]

Very beautiful 😍 presentations by both of our chefs! Also loved their interactions and personalities overall. Thank you Epicurious!! 😊

[@brandonweber6528]

They both did really good, but the chef is super talented. Those knife skills ugh

[@sweettsouth634]

This was extremely educational. Great Job.

[@samurai1833]

What a great swap! Lots of techniques to borrow from for simple dining. The onion aioli will be my first thing to attempt. Awesome direction and results. Thanks!

[@viniciusramires8]

What a nice duo, hope to see more of them!

[@Vandelay666]

Gabi is such a classy lady. I love her

[@h1t0k1r1]

Love the dynamic between the two

[@R_CA]

Gabi is so cute. Chef Taka don't joke when it comes to cutting things, I was like wow when he did the mushrooms 👌

[@seanmsw5977]

So happy to see Gabi back, I missed her wholesome energy. Also have a bit of a crush but that is neither here nor there.

[@renamerryfield9802]

Great Job! Both look delicious!

[@piplup10203854]

Those are definitely honed knife skills right there, incredible knife work chef ☺️

[@guppy1291]

Chef Taka's knife skills are amazing

[@scorpionjb4ever]

beautiful episode ! thank you

[@Keith80027]

No question that I would love both! Thanks for the cook.

[@winscho2014]

Wow, both of them are amazing! Great episode, thank you ❤️

[@szubal]

Spectacular treatment of all the ingredients

[@beatrizs.6559]

Yesss! Gaby is my favorite home cook in these challenges. Keep coming back!

[@serendipity32584]

So happy to see Gaby back on Epicurious! 👏

[@melissaigot3587]

Saw chef Taka in a few other videos and it always amazes me how creative and well-spoken he is.

[@VerhoevenSimon]

I love these positive vibes, and both dishes turned out magnificent.

[@Dwoalin]

Gabi is absolutely one of my favorite home cook in the series. Love to see her back.

[@jemyn4810]

I loved this episode!

[@episodesglow]

I remember Chef Sakaeda from the Wired sushi q&a and he was fantastic, please make him a regular chef on this channel

[@lilyross3642]

LOVE this video!

[@digi9ten]

Wow. Both dishes looked great. I never expect the non-chef's dish to look this good. Another great episode!

[@tetepeb]

I really like that you have dropped the scientist-bit, it´s much more enjoyable when the pro-chef explain.

[@BillAngelos]

You guys do these all the time, but seriously what would be even better is seeing the pro chef actually use the ingredients they picked out after making the discount meal so we can see just how epic it was meant to be.

[@JamesTheBell1]

13:37 - Excellent video editing, as always.

[@KD0083]

Gabi has always been one of my faves . Glad she is back

[@cuechaoticoperachorus9935]

i have never been this early beforw lmao love the video so far!

[@ColombianLNP]

woooow another amazing episode ! cheers from colombia amigos !

[@MKF30]

Gabi is the cutest chef 😊but also talented! Happy New Years!

[@kletingmerah3069]

Mushroom salt part is my fave! What a genius! ❤❤

[@shii6431]

I swear I saw Chef Taka's face in another KZbin video somewhere and sure it was WIRED's Sushi Support! Really love his energy on that video. Loving him more when I actually see him cook.

[@megroy6396]

I love Gabi and I really liked Taka -great pairing that should definitely do more together.

[@XxSotoXx]

Amazing

[@kacijose]

they should calculate the final price of the product based on how much of each ingredient they use. so like, how much you'd pay for it if you were to buy the finished product, minus labor cost. really like these vids! think it'll be a nice touch

[@attorneyrobert]

The knife skills of Chef Sakaeda are insane.

[@melissafields3376]

Overall, great job from both chefs . But the pro saying he felt like he spent most of his time instructing her was just bad form on his part! This channel is about learning. As a pro, he shouldn't be whining about helping others to become better! I am thrilled that her dish turned out so well and she was excited to have the pro like it!

[@HarshKumar-dn9xo]

Like literally Gabi is so cute she made me blush throughout the vdo 😭.. She gave me nonstop butterflies 🦋

[@pinstripeowl]

Those turned out so fancy!

[@carprincess]

I miss Rose, but I still do enjoy these episodes showing how a Pro Chef and a Home Cook would handle a dish with each other’s ingredients

[@bemy3324]

i absolutely love everything about gabi

[@Masonerick]

Was just wondering how Gabi was doing! Been ages since we’ve had her on :) glad to see her back!

[@kaiooliveira7113]

Wow finally a really cool video

[@gideonpaulalcaide]

That knife skill!!!!

[@ntielman2072]

okay at this point Taka is just showing off with his knife skills 😆

[@TheBouQuie_]

Gabi btw. So bloody pleasing to the eye. 🤤

[@bendierking6986]

Taka and Yuji Japanese chef challenge please!

[@coquigirl0789]

This chef’s knife skills are insane!!

[@Aajer]

Every time I watch, videos from this channel I get hungry.

[@chorean]

Gabi is back! She's always my favorite guest home cook for this series

[@Sickdudenomnomnom]

Love to see Chef Taka here :)

[@tom_something]

Gabi's plate looked amazing!

[@BobMc87]

I just looked up "Natural Beauty" in the dictionary..... There was a pic of Gabi! 😍😍😍

[@notminy]

Gabi needs to be in more videos!!

[@pucky8231]

Good job gabby, nailed it.

[@ElizabethJBond]

Ooh! The way he cut those carrots shows some serious skills!

[@slinfear]

The ingredients used on this show are AMAZING.. Things My noob cooking butt will NEVER see in this lifetime.. But LOVE to see home chefs (like ME) use and make the recipes well enough to make the Chefs proud at the end.. 😍

[@aisforannihilation1662]

Well done both chefs. Mushroom cutting skills are top notch. Jeez.

[@jakeadams101]

Jeez. Chef Taka's knife skills are insane

[@ginaclarke14]

I wish we could also see the chefs make their own dishes!

[@lubomirnikolov]

Gabi is baaack, let's gooo!

[@LakshayKukreja11]

Chef Taka's Knife Skills💯

[@lucascerqueira202]

Chef cutting skills in on another level. These carrots were so tiny

[@pamgallardo4374]

I love chef taka!

[@nessaacabs]

The chopping😍😍

[@_Toxicity]

I love seeing the creativity of the pro chefs now that they can't just open their cupboards and pull out a hundred dollars worth of "pantry staples" that I can't even find in my city.

[@Bryanv929]

Maybe one day i will make these recipes from this series, for now it will be entertainment as i eat 😄

[@amnesiai]

Amazing to see what a pro chef can do with basic ingredients.

[@Dodgelayne]

Chef Takas chopping is heavenly

[@FrostyFrostySnow]

In awe of Chef Taka's knife skills

[@nameunknown007]

Huge respect to her for not running away. I would’ve run away for sure.

[@Weebei]

Pain not being able to see Chef Taka cook with those incredible ingredients.

[@pedromauricio4170]

I just want a video with Chef Esther and Chef Taka