Selena + Chef

Selena + Chef has become appointment viewing in Australia on HBO Max, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV for anyone who enjoys watching people under real pressure. Every one of its 4 seasons holds up. A 9/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. The production never lets the format go stale. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on HBO Max.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Selena + Chef is worth clearing space for. Selena + Chef has the format that countless others have tried to copy since. Since social distancing at home, Selena Gomez has been spending more time in the kitchen than she ever imagined. But despite her many talents, it remains to be seen if cooking is one of them. In each episode, Selena will be joined remotely by a different master chef. The casting of Selena Gomez is sharper than the genre usually manages. The series ran for 4 seasons (2020–2022), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly. The format has been replicated endlessly since Selena + Chef first appeared, which is its own form of tribute. This is the rare one where the reputation undersells the reality.

Selena + Chef is impossible to watch casually — expect strong opinions. The tonal similarities to Top Chef are real, though Selena + Chef carves out its own identity quickly. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch if your schedule allows. Selena Gomez is a big part of why it works, but the format itself is the real star. The kind of thing that generates strong opinions in every room it is watched in.

Selena + Chef wrapped up in 2022, created by and starring Selena Gomez — and 4 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.