Kitchen Confidential: The Complete Series

Based on the bestselling memoir of New York chef Anthony Bourdain, this 13-episode series—produced by Sex in the City's Darren Star—rips the lid off the Big Apple's highly competitive restaurant industry. Outrageous and irreverent, Kitchen Confidential stars Bradley Cooper (the stuffed-shirt fiancé from Wedding Crashers) as legendary chef Jack Bourdain, a notorious party boy who revives his moribund career by starting up a trendy new eatery. His eccentric, libidinous staff includes a quirky pastry chef (Nicholas Brendon) and a sexy hostess (Jaime King). Fortunately, the customers are nearly as wacky as the staff, providing ample fodder for story situations as spicy as the dishes Jack prepares. Kitchen Confidential benefits from tart scripting and seemingly offhand performances from its hip young actors, although the series never really clicked with viewers (only four episodes were aired before the show was dropped). DVD extras include audio commentaries, and two behind-the-scenes featurettes. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)