4 Levels of Chips & Guacamole: Amateur to Food Scientist

We challenged chefs of three different skill levels - amateur Jerry, home cook Daniel, and professional chef Saul Montiel from Cantina Rooftop - to whip us up a fresh batch of tortilla chips and guacamole. Once each level of chef had presented their creation, we asked expert food scientist Rose to explain the choices they made along the way - both good and bad. Which guac are you putting on lock?

Chef Saul is on Instagram at @chefsaulmontiel
Keep up with Rose at @rosemarytrout_foodscience
Looking for Daniel? @iamdanielvictor
Find Jerry on Instagram at @jmburgos2

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Level 1: Jerry Burgos
Level 2: Daniel Viktor
Level 3: Saul Montiel 
Director: Vanessa Moreno
Editor: Austin Bailey
Director of Photography: Eric Brouse
Producer: Tyre Nobles
Associate Producer: Blake Jesse
Culinary Producer: Carrie Parente
Culinary Assistant: Leslie Raney
Culinary Assistant: Stevie Stewart
Audio: Michael Guggino
Post Production Supervisor: Stephanie Cardone
Associate Director, Post Production: Nicole Berg

Epicurious Video Team
Jonathan Wise
Ali Inglese
Dan Siegel
Rhoda Boone
Carolyn Gagnon
June Kim
Holly Patton
Myra Rivera
Billy Keenly


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[ThePandaWarrior]

I want a series with Chef Saul just cooking his favorite dishes because he is a gift to humanity. Also love how he showed how to do things better and way easier. He inspires me to be better

[james.randorff]

Daniel: “I’m adding white beans to my guacamole.”

Epicurious: “Daniel, we are demoting you back to Level 1 chef.”

[bteasey]

I swear if I watched the intro and Saul wasn't here I was leaving. Can't do a chips and guac episode without him.

[JustLikeAFlower]

The Mexican disappointed dad look Chef gives when he hears about Dan using beans in the guac is so authentic 😂😂😂

[jonathanvanderpol]

I love Saul's comment: "You mean chunky, like you chef? YES! Chunky like ME!" LOL

[goinsane]

I love how Chef Saul is secretly judging and also defending Daniel at the same time.

[ttma]

Saul is the ultimate boss. Love his humour and his love of food

[mathiangx]

The level one chef is honestly so good. and so wholesome too lol you're doing an amazing job as a beginner, go Jerry go!

[NgYongYao]

Level 1: I gonna bake my chips
Level 2: I gonna fried my chips
Level Saul: what chip?

[glossaria]

Daniel: *uses the avocado pit removal method responsible for the rise in "avocado hand" ER visits*
Chef Saul: *pushes pit out from underneath* "You're welcome." ❤

[elizavetavinokurova]

"Why have chips when you can have chicharrones?"

- Saul, probably.

[estherjulien]

Chef Saul has the best commentary! He kills me every time he says "because I'm a professional"

[marcusoettinger]

Watching Saul make food is what helps me get up in the morning.

[TheSng]

Daniel is just a level one chef with confidence

[C.Axdresba]

Daniel: "Lets add beans to the gucamole"
Saul:" I don't know how I feel about that, it does bother me for some reason"

Also Saul:" godammit Daniel"
'

[simron]

I want to see more of Jerry, he is actually really good for level 1 chef..

[laurao]

Saul explaining why you shouldn’t press an avocado had me CRACKING UP 😂 🤣

[nazz]

Chef Saul is such a mood. Deserves his own cook show. I’d gladly binge watch

[Spudicus]

"Normally I would use my hands, but we are in America. We make everything easier here." As he proceeds to take an extra step to juice a lime. I died when I heard this, amazing.

[heatherbao]

I love watching chef Saul cooking. He is definitely deserves his own cooking show. This man’s got an amazing gift . I’m hoping to see him in tv show. So entertaining. Love his sense of humor