4 Levels of Risotto: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

We challenged chefs of three different skill levels - amateur John, home cook Diane, and professional chef Lish Steiling - to make us their take on a classic risotto. Once each level of chef had presented their creations, we asked expert food scientist Rose to explain the choices each made along the way. Which risotto would get you stirring the pot?

00:00 Intro
00:33 Prepping Ingredients
03:49 Stock
06:11 Rice
11:13 Plating
13:23 Tasting
14:13 Level 4 (Food Scientist)

Director: Lisa Paradise
Director of Photography: Jeremy Harris
Editors: Misa Qu; Manolo Moreno
Director of Culinary Production: Kelly Janke
Producer: Tyre Nobles
Culinary Producer: Mallary Santucci
Culinary Associate Producer: Leslie Raney
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Associate Producer: Sahara Pagan
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Assistant Camera: Lucas Young
Sound Mixer: Brett van Deusen
Production Assistant: Justine Ramirez
Culinary Assistant: Jami Samuelson-Kopek
Researcher: Vivian Jao
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araujo
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward



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[Orwellian-Purple-Grapes-]

Everytime someone in the west made an Asian ancestor cry with their rice cooking methods, but this time it was an Asian who made the Italian ancestors cry with her rice dish. 😂

[dyleon]

Lish is probably the coolest level 3 chef after frank. She acts and speaks like a regular person, while using her expertise and technique. Does not aim to feel better than everyone else just because of her knowledge. Please bring her more often!

[kozmobluemusic]

i think john is slowly turning into a level 2 chef...

[fromthewest]

I feel like Diane made more of a rice pilaf than a risotto. I think risotto needs that creaminess and her rice looks a little dry on the plate.

[LordShockwave]

Lol at everyone in the comments waiting for the Italians to complain. On that note, John is elevating his game. He stuck to the traditional risotto recipe and did the dish justice. I've watched Lish before so she's got liberty to riff on the dish.

[ffkeixi]

The level 2 chef really made some choices

[AishwaryaM-nujm]

Chef Lish is so much fun. Seems like a very heart warming, honest and energetic person to be around.. and she was so happy throughout the video!

[jasmineraww]

rinsing the rice with stock.... wait what 😰
Whenever Lish explains the rationale behind making risotto, the lady breaks every single rule, and Rose confirms what Diane did was the opposite of what she wants to achieve 😂

[danielcues]

Level 2 chef lied on her resume. What on earth did she make, this is outrageous.

[guidosaur]

Chef John's risotto is my favorite balance of easy to make and great flavor

[teampenit]

I can tell that Rose did NOT approve of the no stir method at ALL!

[rimmymindplease]

Level 2 is a hot mess. I was shaking my head throughout!

[eliadelphi]

I wonder if Diane (Level 2 Chef) has ever even seen risotto before, let alone eaten it, lmao

[wateasa]

Why didn’t they bring Beth. My favorite Italian grandma

[craigslitzer]

13:33 The tasting is my favorite part of this video series. That's the moment you fully realize it's not a competition against one another, but simply each chef making what they consider to be a fantastic dish meant to be enjoyed. They are all great in their own way. 4 levels is a very enjoyable show with a great format.

[zDiegoChz]

I´m so glad lvl 3 Chef showed us how Risotto is actually supposed to look like. Wavy, kinda loose but creamy, not supposed to have much height. Most people don´t know about this, even in professional kitchens

[eirxd]

They have switched level 1 and 2...😂
Also, John, Beth, Frank would be great for this episode.

[kylam]

Level 2 pissed me off, like it looks so dry risotto supposed to be creamy, they should switched level 2 and 1

[Chanzlyn]

I love the dynamic of John and Lish in this. John with the traditional approach, while I love Chef Lish showing the "once you know the rules of cooking, you can break those rules" in her way of using a different type of rice or creme fraiche instead of butter. Diane's was fun to show the no-stir method and I loved the idea of using summery veg to kind of lighten a typically decadent dish!

[SayNoobBULeave]

2nd person didn't make risotto, they just made rice with shrimps.