Planet Chef

As a child, Alan Geaam grew up having a dream. Not the American dream, but the French dream. The great chefs that came before him were welcomed as a challenge to rise to the occasion, and do the best he could. To be a great chef, Alan uses his Lebanese roots and the mindset that he can always be improving.

Tempero, a restaurant focusing on French cuisine with a real Brazilian character to it, is owned by Alessandra Montagne. Fueled by the belief that every diner should enjoy themselves, she also works to reduce her carbon footprint and overall waste, while filling her kitchen with the smell and taste of her childhood.

For Connie, cooking brings forth a feeling of well-being and creativity. From crawfish parties to the importance of breakfast, she makes sure to bring a taste of Sweden and Poland, her two home countries, to her new home in France.

The aroma of tomato, garlic, shellfish, and parsley reminds Giovanni and his guests that he has Italian roots. Although he loves being in the kitchen, he understands that this job does not come without a little bit of pain and suffering, but can not recall a time that it wasn't worth it.

Using ingredients from his home country of South Africa as the focal point, Jan is able to bring in French ingredients to support them and craft a beautiful, one of a kind dish. Drawing inspiration from his two grandmothers, it is important for Jan to support local, and believes that in order to be a great chef, you must be close to the earth.

Having six restaurants in Paris, Juan Arbelaez considers himself not only a chef, but a restauranteur and an entrepreneur. As he can not be in multiple places at once, he's forced to put his faith in his workers even more than usual. For Juan it isn't just cooking, it is a chance to create an unforgettable memory for a client.

Mauro Colagreco describes himself as a citizen of the world, someone who has crossed many borders to find his new home. His patience and appreciation for food and culture are shown extraordinarily in his dishes. Watch how his dream of learning French cuisine unfolded.