Biker
Chef
1/2-Hour Television Series Concept
created
by
Christopher Coppola & Nicolas Paine
CHARACTERS
THE
BIKER CHEF ('CHEF')
A
study in juxtaposition, a harmony of opposites.
An imposing presence yet kindhearted and friendly.
A road warrior whose rough hands can break
down a carburetor by pale moonlight or pluck
the tenderest chanterelle from dew kissed
soil. A leather clad mystic who believes in
the nurturing power of food to bring people
together. When he found (some say was given)
the Tome of the Sated Traveler he accepted
the mantle as the latest in a long line of
traveling chefs, bound to seek out and combine
the stuff of the land in fresh and innovative
ways. His attire is novel as well; strapped
to the back of his leather coat is a quiver
full of his most worthy cooking implements.
His bike is tricked out with more tools and
accessories of the trade, including a special
reading pedestal so he can consult the Tome
en route. The Chef has a vast knowledge of
cooking traditions, very informative and useful
tidbits he often shares with his two sidekicks
Sous and Max, but for the Chef this knowledge
is a means to an end, stepping stones for
inspired improvisation. When his quest is
on center the Biker Chef follows his instincts,
he is a man of few words who simply knows
when something is right. When something is
wrong, when the Tome is especially obtuse
and Sous and Max are quarreling over meaningless
minutiae, then the Biker Chef consults his
ace in the hole, the Oracle. But more about
him later.
THE
SOUS CHEF ('SOUS')
The
trusted acolyte, skilled at preparation and
detail but green in the arts of true cooking
insight. He is eternally loyal, thirsty for
the kind of experience and knowledge only
the Biker Chef can bestow. Sous is a large
man, bigger in frame than even the Chef. It
is whispered his clouded past includes poor
judgment and various acts of mayhem, indeed
there are times he seems to be resisting an
urge to 'let loose' and 'stomp something.'
But there is no room for hate in this chapter
of Sous' life, for the first time he's part
of something larger than himself. At times
he is endearingly naive, like a wide-eyed
youth overjoyed by every new twist in the
journey. Other times he turns sullen or even
cranky, especially when provoked by Max or
when overly hungry. He longs to partake in
the end-of-episode dishes he helps create
but that is forbidden; part of the Biker Chef's
code is that only the locals may enjoy their
creations, the biker team's role is a perpetual
cycle of observing, learning and giving. Sous
is an amazing mechanic, he can fix practically
anything on a motorcycle. Behind his bike
he tows 'The Crate,' a mini tool shop and
pantry stocked with every useful repair and
prep tool imaginable.
MAXIMUM
('MAX')
An
enigma of a different stripe. Everything about
Max is nimble and quick; his wits, his tongue,
his bike. His mind is curiously restless,
he's the techno-hound of the group. He's outfitted
his ride with an on-board computer & wireless
modem, GPS tracking system, short wave radio
and espresso machine. He is the team's link
to the outside world, able to process the
Chef's queries and find the closest Shell
station. Max's intellect is also his liability,
however. Oftentimes his mental gymnastics
emerge as disruptive sarcasm, or worse, cynicism.
His personal challenge is to find the inner
peace the Biker Chef embodies, and Max believes
their quest is the doorway to such tranquillity.
He's also a major food sleuth, enjoying the
hunt for the out-of-the-way ingredients the
Chef divines. Max has been known to argue
with Sous but he never intends any harm, he's
just trying to keep things lively. A sideways
glance from the Chef is usually enough to
silence him if need be. Max is the documentarian
of the team, compiling a scrapbook of all
the places they've traveled including the
bizarre roadside attractions they always make
a point to stop for. The truth is you're never
quite sure what to expect from Max, but chances
are it'll be slightly odd.
THE
ORACLE
Extremely
few facts about the Oracle can be confirmed.
His origin, his location, his age, all are
shrouded by impenetrable mists. What is obvious
is his wealth of true cooking wisdom, a profound
level of kitchen experience bordering on the
metaphysical. When the Biker Chef finds himself
beset by a confusion of ingredients and is
momentarily unable to hear the sound of one
hand stirring he consults the Oracle via their
singular telepathic bond. Only the Chef can
see the hazy cloud appear in the middle distance,
only the Chef can see the older man's calm
yet inquisitive visage. Their conversations
play out in surreal stream-of-consciousness
shorthand but inevitably the Oracle helps
Biker Chef regain his balance and see the
light. You see, the Oracle was once 'on the
road' himself, a previous incarnation of the
same spirit now inhabiting Biker Chef. The
Oracle took the quest as far as he could in
this mortal coil and now resides in another
dimension of culinary clarity. Sometimes he
still misses the touch of the leather bound
Tome and the thrill of combining eclectic
ingredients, but that's okay. Nirvana is a
sweet, aromatic prison and from its lofty
perch the Oracle will help the Biker Chef
however he can.
SPECIALIST
COOK
Whether
purely by chance or as foretold by the Tome,
a cooking Specialist will be visited while
on the road. It could be a professional chef,
a bread maker, a homemaker, barbecue bachelor,
a seasoning inventor. Whoever it is will be
someone renown in the region as an expert
at what he or she does with food. The Specialist
shares this expertise with Biker Chef, who
in turn uses the newly found cooking wisdom
in his final grand recipe. The Specialist
may be asked, politely, to accompany the team
on the back of Sous' bike or he may take a
Greyhound bus, but one thing's for sure; the
Specialist will always be at the episode closing
cook-off to sample Biker Chef's free form
magical meal.
CELEBRITY
BIKER
The
road is long, there are many turns and unforeseen
encounters. Occasionally the Biker Chef and
his team chance upon a fellow traveler searching
for his own truth. These people command a
certain degree of recognition from the general
public, but out here they're just another
wandering soul on a bike. Some of them are
acquainted with Chef or Sous or Max, but even
those that aren't are usually friendly and
forthcoming in the way of biker brethren.
Often the Celebrity Biker will steer the team
towards an ingredient they're looking for,
other times they'll share a joke or simply
borrow some sugar. Think Peter Fonda, wiping
dust from his road goggles and telling the
team about these special barbecue pits in
29 Palms. The Chef enjoys these run-ins and
views them as an omen the journey is on track.
Please send Fanmail, Recipe Requests and Hatemail to:
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OVERVIEW
- FEATURES
- STYLE
- THE FOOD
- PILOT
- FUTURE EPISODES
- SUMMARY
