In 2000, at the age of 24, Paul Liebrandt became the youngest chef ever to receive a coveted three star review from the New York Times, a rave that announced the arrival of a talented new upstart on the haute cuisine scene. But after September 11, 2001, high concept cooking took a backseat to comfort food, and the wunderkind Liebrandt found himself flipping burgers at a neighborhood bistro, and demoted to just two stars by notoriously difficult new Times critic Frank Bruni. Fearing the world may never appreciate his culinary creativity, a game-changing opportunity appears on the horizon just when Liebrandt needs it most. He is approached by Drew Nieporent, the tastemaking restaurateur behind Nobu, to create the gastronomic menu of his dreams in a posh new Tribeca eatery.

Charting Liebrandt's tumultuous career over the course of a decade, filmmaker Sally Rowe focuses on the trials and triumphs of this latest venture, from Liebrandt's perfectionism in the menu itself, to drama in the kitchen, and even tiffs over the lighting design of the dining room—building up to the make-it-or-break-it verdict of the one man Liebrandt craves approval from most: Frank Bruni.

Directed by

Sally Rowe and Sally Rowe