4 Levels of Chowder: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

We challenged chefs of three different skill levels - amateur Shariff, home cook Julie, and professional chef Frank Proto from the Institute of Culinary Education - to serve us their best bowl of chowder. Once each level of chef had finished and tasted their final product, we asked food scientist Rose to explain their choices from an expert's perspective. Which level of chowder are you warming up with?
Check out Chef Frank's Crab Chowder Recipe on the ICE Blog: www.ice.edu/blog/frank-proto-...
Chef Frank is on social at @protocooks
Follow Julie at @jb2960
Keep up with Shariff at @mrshariffsinclair
Rose is on Instagram at @rosemarytrout_foodscience
Looking for the Institute of Culinary Education? Voila @iceculinary
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4 Levels of Chowder: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

[@ProtoCookswithChefFrank]

Thanks for all the love. Good to be back.

[@rolandandreit.carada7202]

Looove

[@diyas2601]

Nice to see you today!

[@mahmoudaboualfa5136]

Congratulations on the return!!! Epicurious would have discontinued haven't you saved them.

[@rgaming267]

There you go, the boss is coming back

[@lexymartin6841]

Its Frank! Hey Frank 😁

[@Matt_spalding82]

Frank was busy raising his own crab, but now he is back!

[@anthonyvercillo1109]

@Golden Coin No... Lorenzo is slowly rebuilding his stock of butter! Probably made from Frank's cows.

[@lucapeyrefitte6899]

Honestly Lorenzo is probably doing both

[@malenehougard7588]

Is this meme still alive?

[@rickcasedrinksbud]

Ooof 🤣🤣

[@westonmccracken5284]

No he was taking care of his cow

[@mimiestkitty]

"I'm gonna make my own crackers." -Frank There he is. There is the extra as hell Frank we love.

[@urban_gse_]

Yeah I missed him

[@KomboEzaliTe]

Crackers are so easy to make that children can do it.

[@maddelise2110]

Legit what I thought when he said homemade crackers 😂

[@InfiniteUmbra]

lol

[@moosesandmeese969]

I wouldn't call it too extra. Crackers and breads are quite easy to make yourself and definitely worth it if you have the extra time to spare. No what's extra is Frank pulling out a whole damn cheese wheel for some pasta lmao.

[@sephirothjc]

Frank: 'I'm gonna make my own' *crowd goes mad with excitement*

[@jorgemiranda9921]

The Chosen One has returned. Frank has come to bring balance to our palates.

[@realnoahsimpson]

a prophesy that misread could have been

[@walterbrunswick]

Can't forget Frank using stainless spatula on Teflon cookware..... Frank has been downgraded

[@LadyVader33]

Lol

[@anag.4730]

He’s blessed us with his presence and shan’t not come again till the time has come

[@CorynWarriorKitty]

Frank is the avatar of cooking 🧑‍🍳

[@ArghyadebBandyopadhyay]

Frank is back. Where is Lorenzo? Lorenzo (reading this comment): Hahahahahahhahahahhahaaaaaa

[@Mitwadus]

I can hear and see the smile from here.

[@chrishaynes-smart9684]

Lorenzo is at the Liquor store

[@squaretorttle9400]

He’s not reading this comment

[@berry-pf6gn]

@@squaretorttle9400 What if he was?

[@squaretorttle9400]

@@berry-pf6gn nah he isn’t

[@soumyasharan6318]

I love Julie's energy. She's the auntie everyone wants to be around

[@lexymartin6841]

Right!

[@typicalchriscross5518]

True

[@thestraydog]

That's the perfect vibe she's got!

[@ethanfrizzell8493]

So wrong

[@Bird_Nerd_Kae]

She reminds me of my Nana from Massachusetts. She LOVES clam chowder.

[@AGlimpseInside]

“People are going to hold their pearls with this one” thanks Frank, I’m going to use that one

[@canaisyoung3601]

I've always heard that as "clutch" their pearls.

[@lcampanella4850]

This is already a popular saying and it's clutch

[@urban_gse_]

When I hear this I imagine a 1950s ish flapper style lady trying a drink at a club and clutching a pearl necklace lol

[@stasiugaska2838]

Gays already trade marked it, I’m sorry honey

[@johnhobson9165]

@@urban_gse_ The flappers flourished in the 1920s, not the 50s.

[@anthonyvercillo1109]

I feel like recently the Level 1 chef's have been too good... Bring back cooking with ketchup or adding whole cheesecakes to recipes... It's what really made these super entertaining... The hot messes lol

[@krasudreal3948]

Yeah but then I can't use their recipes.

[@marziahzad6891]

I love that we all have been so diligently following everything that happens here that we all know exactly when the whole cheesecake happened and when the ketchup stopped lok

[@gurmannsingh657]

Hahaha I feel ya

[@terrawolf3802]

Agreed. I think they should add a level 0 (which probably be in this case walking off the screen coming back with a can of chowder and then sticking it a pot or the microwave to heat up)

[@publia2.053]

A Level 1 chef doesn’t make crowder. He opens a can and heats.

[@DanielH212MC]

This level 1 chef honestly cooks beyond his level.

[@pedroleao5062]

Level 1.8 chef

[@zeshahi7138]

He’s kinda like a level 2

[@leby_leby]

its 2021, either a person can't cook or can. Rarely see an amateur cook

[@tripleaaabattery]

@@leby_leby clearly you haven't met me

[@leby_leby]

@@tripleaaabattery u must be an exception lmao

[@Oleevur812]

I know that it's usually a joke, but i honestly LOVE how Frank makes his own stuff, it really shows how much he's mastered the culinary art

[@jeraldrosario9340]

I love how Frank has improved throughout the series. His shyness from the first video is evident but in this recent video...... HE'S A GOD

[@lilycrain6378]

Frank has his own KZbin called ProtoCooks with Chef Frank and he posts weekly btw

[@pogoz2154]

dood! thanks so much

[@lucapeyrefitte6899]

Nice I’ll check it out

[@CLB30ROX]

Thank you for this. I'm going there right now 😁

[@tbtb1249]

*Guess what NEW channel I'm subscribing to???*

[@yachishairclips2250]

Yes... Following him for a while and he gives good tips for how to cook things.. Did not regret following the channel

[@Hope12Grace90]

Who else is excited Frank is back?! EDIT: Apparently everyone in the comment section.

[@Whereareyouroam]

I watch him from his channel but still excited to see him back.

[@anestgr1449]

Everything and everyone

[@MissEmoPunkRocker]

I feel that Shariff is one of the only level 1 chefs who really knows what he’s talking about and has the confidence of a level 2 chef. Oh and that charm he gives off? It’s just 😍😍 Oh and WELCOME BACK, SALT MASTER!

[@fanzhang5568]

He could be a level 2 chef if he can chop better, and didn’t just dump all those flours into his soup lol.

[@Bianca-qg6qj]

“I’m gonna make my own”, of course you will, Frank

[@renato2354]

Frank: *returns* Crabs: I VOLUNTEER AS A TRIBUTE

[@Alrighttheniguess]

He has a KZbin channel

[@renato2354]

@@Alrighttheniguess I know, I watch it religiously

[@calehenituse161]

whats the name of his youtube channel?

[@Alrighttheniguess]

@@calehenituse161 protocooks with chef frank

[@calehenituse161]

@@Alrighttheniguess thank you

[@theZmoee]

Everyone is so focused on frank being back but can we talk about shariffs smile?! 😍

[@Chipinopa]

IKR? I'M

[@wynderlacunae268]

He's absolutely gorgeous

[@feedme8991]

not the cup of tea for everyone

[@megansmallwood3409]

I wonder if he uses white strips. ☺😁

I was looking for this comment

[@hithisismira]

Julie is honestly my favorite chef in the series she's such a joy to watch

[@greenapple9477]

Level 0 chef: Mung Daal Sadly, I see no Chowder jokes, so I will fill in that void.

[@notareallin620]

Oh god I was looking for this! Thank you!

[@chocolatecakecult3629]

Underrated man

[@finger_me_hard_daddy]

Schnitzel: Radda rada rada rrada rada rada raada

[@tannn_06]

Lmao I'm ded

[@xiathan]

@@finger_me_hard_daddy the translation is work work work work work 🤣🤣

[@LeRoiJojo]

"You're late." "No I'm not! Just a minute or two! A... Jamaican... minute... or two."

[@Caspelwasnotavailable]

Since frank is back , all we need is lorenzo to come back

[@scarrthehustlinho]

Then balance is restored

[@chiragnk602]

Lorenzo over Julie. Any day

[@macsyung8757]

Yeah, Lorenzo is one of my favorites ❤️

[@antonioirons9588]

And Stephen ❤

[@Habibalhoque]

And Emily

[@luisgalindo6705]

loving Shariff's energy and excitement! As well as everyone else. I think that maybe in the last year everyone got a bit of a skills boost for cooking at home.

[@kristenholmes2222]

Really enjoying the new level 1 chef, he has lots of charm and his food looks solid!

[@thicchizu]

SHARIFFE'S SMILE IS SO BEAUTIFUL OH MY GOFBDDBGS

[@ChauNyan]

Agreed, he's extremely handsome

[@pussyboy0000]

I'm in love with his smile. It does something to me lol

[@pettybee3860]

I was looking for this comment lol

[@moonlightboiii]

Julie is like your cool auntie who always give you good food and seriously cares about you

[@super65ap]

But is annoying AF

[@warsawpact2025]

@cuck Can't tell if this is a joke or not but didn't you just insult yourself?

[@stankyratman5685]

@@warsawpact2025 they were insulting the guy who called Julie annoying lol.

[@warsawpact2025]

@@stankyratman5685 .

[@stankyratman5685]

@@warsawpact2025 oof I read ur comment wrong and instead took you for the fool who didn’t see the intention but truly, it was I

[@MA7thsign]

I know everyone loves Frank, but I think I speak for everyone when I say it's time to promote Julie to level 3

[@maymadisson6140]

"I don't peel corn often." Everyone in the south: "We know. It's called 'shucking.'"

[@thejompi]

He saying that like it’s the most difficult thing in the world.

[@chashubokchoy8999]

@@thejompi ..he just said it normally

[@warsawpact2025]

@@thejompi On what basis do you say that from?

[@SialalaMarcin]

everyone here is talking about these chefs and such but we should take a moment to appreciate how smart and nice Rose is. love her

[@rosediomond4661]

We all love Rose

[@artsyverse]

Shoutout to Rose!

[@Kristiekins2]

She's definitely the nicest food scientist. The others tend to treat the level one chefs like idiots, and she takes the time to explain why the level one, simple as it may be, is still decent.

[@ethanhorn6093]

Rose is amazing. I adore her. But a lot of people actually turn the video off after everyone is done cooking... and they skip the Rose portions and that's just sad.

[@piecesofnature1996]

@@ethanhorn6093 quite the contrary, that's the part I enjoy most because she makes you feel like a student learning

[@owtowler]

Julie that plating is gorgeous. Easily level 2.5, as always. Beautimous.

[@aleezaraza8509]

As excited as I was to see frank, twas Julie who stole my heart

[@user-mc4km8qt3s]

This video inspired me to combine the Levels 1 + 3 recipes, today I made a corn and shrimp chowder! Shariff's tip was SO GOOD, (after sautee-ing up my shrimp shells) I boiled the corn cobs and shrimp shells, and it imparted SUCH a corn flavor into the stock. Really made the flavor more corn-based, which I'm not mad at (I L O V E corn)! Later I threw in small chunks of the shrimp, and heavy cream, and it made the whole thing taste kind of like a seafood bisque. Anyway, it's delicious and was fun, thanks guys for the great ideas!

[@jonathanhertilus750]

Frank: With HOME MADE Crackers Me: And here ...we....GO!

[@julialee179]

I read the second line in Lorenzo's voice

[@marcusoettinger8151]

Where is the trifecta, Emily, Lorenzo and Frank

[@datboibutters]

A trifecta without Steven 🤔

[@hamarabhai78]

check the burgers video

[@zxdxxtr]

I like the cheesecake guy more than the ketchup girl actually

[@gauthamroopesh6572]

@@zxdxxtr everybody loves Emily because she’s in more iconic and popular videos

[@edwardanimsyujinamuka6203]

Emily is watching animes Lorenzo is still laughing

[@lavluv]

They brought Frank back so we can't make any jokes about him growing vegetables or raising animals

[@zelphiaellerson6283]

True, but he was grinding his homegrown wheat to make his crackers.

[@Ahaa686]

@@zelphiaellerson6283 He was growing those crabs obviously.

[@shae2439]

Shariff needs a toothpaste ad or something that boys smile is shining so bright

[@movieunycorn9105]

Love Sharifs energy in this episode. It’s nice to see a level 1 chef that’s confident in their food

[@Singsonggirl]

Absolutely. He's not cocky or anything, he just explains what he does with confidence and love. So lovely!

[@flowertrue]

So happy to see Frank, back from inventing food. I love Julie too. She can be my aunty. But honestly, all three of these chowders look incredibly good, and I don't usually even like corn or clam chowder, but maybe I'll try them again since it's been many years. Shariff's enthusiasm was infectious!

[@Foo007]

I’m so glad Frank’s seminar with Poseidon ended early so he was able to film this chowder video

[@crowsfoot_]

a lot of the cooks on this channel are great and i love the variety, but this is definitely a top tier lineup

[@roxas1001]

Shariff: I love Saltines Julie: Soup and Oyster crackers Frank: IMMA MAKE MY OWN

[@misslesole9673]

Felt like a little kid seeing their favourite person seeing Frank....

[@shelboney]

This might be the first video I've seen where the level one chef is confident and their food actually looks good hahaha

[@davasg96]

11:41 “I’m gonna make my own” sums up frank tbh

[@Ohm2012x]

Look good, Frank is back !!

[@Alrighttheniguess]

He has a KZbin channel

[@user-ud5wq1rn2z]

Finally, Frank is in the house. 😁😁😁 I love his channel Protocooks but there is something special when he is here and when he cooks with two other cook and Rose. I wanna know what he is gonna make out of thin air.

[@JDMOokami]

It wouldn’t be a Frank episode if he didn’t make everything himself

[@amaionnaise]

All three chefs are amazing! Great job, all of you! Awesome recipes! I love Sharif, Julie, and Frank’s ethusiam! It’s contagious!

[@MrBlancohehe]

Frank is like that mentor whom eveeyone trusts.

[@walterbrunswick]

Don't trust him anymore after seeing him use stainless spatula on Teflon cookware

[@Alrighttheniguess]

He has a KZbin channel

[@jjajjmdsdcszdjcjks3194]

he seems egoistic af

[@ladylover1134]

@@jjajjmdsdcszdjcjks3194 how? because he has confidence in his work?

[@Virjunior01]

@@jjajjmdsdcszdjcjks3194 he's been cooking for over two decades, man. That's somethin.

[@r0secm]

I’m O B S E S S E D with Julie. She is so precious!!! ❤️

[@rebeccakauffman3094]

I love this series from Epicurious. Watching these various levels of cooking has really encouraged me to try new recipes at home. Plus, all of the chefs have such friendly and wonderful personalities. Love you all.

[@mykhailohohol8708]

judging by how much Frank enjoyed his meal, it has to be freaking amazing

[@d3adg1rlfrvr]

we need 4 levels of bread (if you haven't done it already)

[@TameemAlkadi]

Bread is kinda boring and plain

[@kelblue22]

@@TameemAlkadi I disagree. I like watching people kneading bread.

[@TameemAlkadi]

@@kelblue22 ok cool?, there isn’t much you can do with bread in terms of customization, that’s why I said it’s boring and plain

[@d3adg1rlfrvr]

@@TameemAlkadi i think it'd be cool to see how each level attempts it (i also like watching people make bread)

[@martinschulz326]

@@TameemAlkadi You are obviously not from Germany.

[@_Pam.]

11:40 "I'm gonna make my own" i mean, yeah no surprise here

[@ryncalasagsag4909]

I miss chef franks participation here. His own channel helped him improve his character in front of the camera. Agree? All hail the Salt King!

[@guillaumecorbin8133]

I can't express enough the hapiness I have seing Frank back. + Julie? Yeah. Go Shariff!

[@imjetpak]

last time i was this early, frank had bought the pig for the bacon you see in this video

[@lildredre89]

Shariff is NOT a level 1 chef, stop lying epicurious!

[@mkoo7000]

I was thinking the same thing as soon as I saw him throw that cob to make stock

[@estherluciano9623]

Nah, watch him chop those veggies. He's a Level 1, no Level 2 holds and manages a knife like that.

[@lindafreeman7030]

It made sense when Rose said he used his grandmother's recipe.

[@dodixaverius9176]

I think it's people who thought LVL 1 as bad chef is the problem here. The level 1 can cook well and if they are forced to use LVL 3 technique and recipe they could do it. They are level 1 because most of the time they just don't cook like that.

[@publia2.053]

Agreed

[@cassielint6658]

Level 1 chef is completely gorgeous! Julie is the auntie I've always wanted and so glad Frank back with his extra self ❤

[@lyricssong7206]

*WHERE IS MY GRANDMA BETH. I MISSED HER TOOOOO*

[@Bannerninja]

Legend has it, that if you build your own salt shaker and chant Frank’s name three times, he will appear

[@Jim58223]

FRANKKKK HE'S BACK FINALLY

[@imtrash6713]

@@majoroldladyakamom6948 shutup fool 😂😹😹😹

[@Alrighttheniguess]

He has a KZbin channel

[@elenaherholz8932]

Literally screamed with Joy when i saw Frank was there! missed him so much!

[@B-Man-69]

11:41 "I'm going to make my own!" Well, we saw that coming.

[@shreyatalwar9588]

Lets appreciate shariff he's good man!!

[@alexandrablanco654]

FRANK IS BACK FINALLY AFTER ALL OF THESE DAYS I MISS HIS MAKING HIS MAKING OWN WATER WAYS 🥺🥺👍🏻👍🏻

[@raver9962]

Alternate Title: *The Return Of The King*

[@hisbigal]

Julie and Frank together: I can die happy!

[@Barry_TopG]

Finally Master Frank has come Epicurus had no choice

[@eg5479]

@@majoroldladyakamom6948 I thought this too, because I think they've been digging into their stored videos to post for content. The pandemic is still ongoing and I doubt they went back to filming in the studio/office instead of filming from home like they were doing.

[@yoram7836]

Epicurious I think you can tell that literally everyone loves Frank.

[@musicalycomiclyme]

Love that Shariff is smile goals Julie out here providing warm loving auntie vibes

[@nandusai]

Great to see that Frank makes sure to increment the years he has been a chef without fail...

[@sharathmanjunath4763]

Frank has finally finished cultivation for the chowder😂❤️🔥

[@BradyBegeman]

Frank was preparing a deep sea crab hatchery in order to produce his chowder.

[@lancebeltran1811]

Frank: *is back* lorenzo and Emily: *where are they???*

[@frod2941]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are back!!!!!!!! I love these episodes SOOO MUCH! I see Frank and immediately hear Outkast's "Return of the "G"" For those that know... ya know ;-P

[@niorth113]

The question is: does frank grow his own seafood?

[@FSHVTAGMMY]

yes he does

[@greyblueme9711]

Obviously! Frank has high standards

[@nerab.5678]

When she said "and Im talking about jamaican time" i felt that in my soul

[@mikapooh3329]

The WORST is when I go to the Jamaican Restaurant & they claim that the Rasta Pasta will be ready in a minute 🙄🤬

[@Blitzkrieg1976]

Love how Shariff uses an old school well worn metal pot..that takes me back! They all look great! As a New Englander, I appreciate them all!❤❤❤

[@alejandraortiz7762]

Ive been rewatching this series and I still love the editing of the chefs comments! It's always funny

[@pedrogarcia238]

Guys, don't forget to check out Frank's youtube channel @protocooks! It's quite good and we can support the legend even further!

[@deepakmenon7733]

Eyyyyy! Frank is back. Let's go bois and gurls

[@madicrowley3427]

guys gals and nonbinary pals lmaooo

[@alosious]

11:41 the moment we all been waiting for 😍😍

[@marinamatossouto2110]

What a joy, I love all the cooks and their recipes, Rose is amazing too

[@saradube2173]

Sacrificial crabs... to flavor this most holy chowder. Amen.

[@s0Shi]

It’s a joy seeing everyone in this video, but I especially got excited seeing Julie again :D

[@scarletbone1]

Frank literally makes everything on his own it reveals that he is an amazing chef

[@chimkenxggetscodm617]

Sharif's smile and eyes are so mesmerizing omg

[@TheSrilankanbabe]

They should do an episode where the level 3 chefs cook the same dish but with their own recipe and make level 1s and 2s taste teste to see which dish they like best :)

[@kayli4444]

CHANT FRANK AND HE RETURNS FRANK FRANK FRANK FRANK

[@bridgetboyle687]

Frank is back! yay. Great to see Julia and her gusto. Shariff and his wonderful joy. what a great group to do chowder.

[@valerijamezhybovska2836]

it's one of the best of the best of 4-Level-of Smth! Thank you all dear chefs and dear food scientist!

[@lananhkhuatthi6048]

finally, Frank came back

[@Alrighttheniguess]

He has a KZbin channel

[@sarahcraig4519]

Frank's back, im gonna cry

[@harinivanan1032]

Yayy .. Frank is back making my KZbin feed wholesome again❤️

[@emilyradeka7895]

I’m so happy I just noticed this was posted today because I was having the worst day and these three just have amazing personalities that really make it hard to be in a bad mood

[@FingeringThings]

Level 5: Boston chefs

[@batmanfanboy3235]

**Laughs in indian**

[@LadyVader33]

Uh oh...it's a fierce rivalry all over the northeast!

[@yelljal2764]

Level 6: Boston Grandfathers

[@BishounenOtoko]

I love Frank! I love Julie! I love Shariff!! I love all of their versions of Chowder!! Great recipe and chefs :3 Really put me in a good mood!! This video is truly blessed :D

[@evafrade9366]

Had so much fun watching Frank and July. Love them!

[@Fanglover441]

What a great video! I loved everyone featured in this one! Please feature these three again