Many of us find joy in cooking: the simple but vital task of making food for our loved ones and ourselves can be an act of mindfulness and self-care. Cooking helps us to be present in the moment, to focus on simple tasks, and to filter out the noise of our busy lives. Cooking also brings us closer to the source of the foods that nurture our bodies and our minds.

Calm has partnered with our friends at José Andrés Media and Michelin-starred chef John Fraser to bring to life a series that celebrates the connection between cooking and mindfulness. Our first three episodes of SILENT CHEF follow Chef Fraser as he explores the beauty and bounty of the North Fork of Long Island where he operates his award-winning restaurant The North Fork Table Inn. Each journey revolves around a central ingredient that he will harvest and bring to his kitchen to create a unique and memorable dish.

In this episode, Chef Fraser is on the hunt for the culinary star of everyone’s summer table – ripe tomatoes. Local farmer Ira Haspel runs the biodynamic KK’s Farm less than a mile from Chef Fraser’s restaurant, making him the perfect partner in John’s quest to provide the freshest local ingredients. Here, fresh herbs, garlic and celery are harvested along with Sun Gold and Brandywine tomatoes. In the kitchen, our dish begins with handmade pasta: semolina flour comes together with water to make a smooth dough that Chef Fraser rolls into braided rings called lorighittas, a shape that comes from the island of Sardinia. The freshly harvested Sun Golds are cooked down with peppers and macerated to make a simple sauce to serve with the beautiful handmade pasta.

Calm your mind and soak up the atmosphere of Long Island's North Fork and its bounty of summer produce.

Created By:
José Andrés Media (@chefjoseandres )
John Fraser

Production Crew:
Executive Producer: Richard Wolffe
Executive Producer: John Fraser
Co-Executive Producer: Ellen Kaplan
Producer/Director: Todd Wendel
DP: Tony Smith
2nd Camera: Julian Nguyen
Sound: Nejc Poberaj
Gaffer: Jeff Fitzgerald
Sound Design: Chip Sovek
Editing: Justin Van Prooyen
Colorist: Julian Nguyen
Production Design: Nathaniel Savage
Associate Producer: Gabby Lozano
Stylist: Paul Marlow
Marketing: Casey Hyken
PR: Ashton McLeod
Culinary Advisor: Berenice de Araujo

Talent:
Chef: John Fraser
Farmer: Ira Haspel

Special Thanks:
KK’s The Farm
Production accommodations provided by Laura Hirsch
North Fork Table and Inn