Chef / channel
With 20 years of elite kitchen experience, Chef James Makinson shares professional French, Spanish, and British culinary secrets to help you master fine dining at home.
With nearly two decades of experience in some of Europe's most prestigious kitchens, Chef James Makinson brings world-class culinary expertise directly to your screen. Having honed his craft under industry icons like Jason Atherton, Phil Carmichael, Jean-François Malle, and Antonio Saez, James’s pedigree spans legendary venues including Berners Tavern in London, La Rotonde in Lyon, and Hotel Arts Barcelona. On his channel, James translates this formidable background in British, French, and Spanish gastronomy into accessible, inspiring tutorials designed for the home kitchen. Viewers can expect a masterclass in classic and contemporary techniques, from perfecting complex sauces to mastering precise knife skills. For working chefs and ambitious home cooks alike, his videos offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at professional discipline and kitchen organisation. Rather than just sharing recipes, James demystifies high-end restaurant standards, teaching the fundamental principles behind every step. Whether you are looking to lift your weekday meals or refine your professional repertoire, his structured approach and passion for mentorship provide an invaluable resource for culinary growth.
11:21A professional chef's analysis of the earliest known fried chicken recipe from Nathan Bailey's 1736 Dictionarium Domesticum, comparing historical acid-heavy marinades and wine batters to modern kitchen standards.
23:15Discover the culinary science behind ancient Chinese dumplings as professional chef James Makinson breaks down the dough hydration, filling prep, and steaming techniques highlighted in Uncle Roger's latest reaction.
78:34Discover the culinary mechanics of preparing succulent, moisture-rich pork chops as professional chef James Makinson analyses the classic techniques of Chef Jean-Pierre.
22:25Professional chef James Makinson dissects the viral Asmongold burger disaster, explaining the culinary science behind why adding olive oil directly to ground beef ruins texture, structural integrity, and the searing process.
19:27A professional chef's breakdown of the viral "Dollar Store Pad Thai" controversy, examining the culinary pitfalls of extreme budget substitutions like spaghetti for rice noodles, and how to maintain authentic flavor profiles on a budget.
13:04Professional chef James Makinson critiques a viral poutine recipe, offering essential insights into potato frying techniques, cheese curd chemistry, and the science of the perfect gravy cling.
21:33A professional analysis of Chef Wang Gang's masterclass egg fried rice technique, as evaluated by chef James Makinson, Adam Liaw, and Uncle Roger.
13:14When classic French culinary technique meets traditional egg fried rice, things get chaotic. Professional chef James Makinson reviews Chef Jean-Pierre's wok-free approach, examining whether flat-bottomed pans and Western methods can truly deliver a restaurant-quality stir-fry.
70:13Professional chef James Makinson deconstructs the controversial butter chicken debate sparked by Uncle Roger's reaction to Jamie Oliver's recipe, exploring traditional techniques versus simplified adaptations.
22:59Professional chef James Makinson breaks down the viral egg fried rice debate, dissecting essential wok techniques, rice preparation, and how to handle culinary criticism.
Shorts from Chef James Makinson
Sixty-second clips — one idea, one trick, no preamble.
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0:48Questions from the pass
James Makinson is a professional chef with 20 years of experience working in elite kitchens. On his YouTube channel, @chefjamesmakinson, he shares trade secrets from French, Spanish, and British cuisine. His content is designed to help home cooks master fine dining techniques using his extensive background in professional kitchens.
Chef James Makinson specialises in classical French, Spanish, and British fine dining. His YouTube channel also features a variety of global dishes, including authentic Thai fried rice, Pad Kra Pao, and his own take on takeaway dishes like orange chicken. He also covers British classics like crispy roast potatoes.
His channel features a mix of step-by-step recipe tutorials and reaction videos. He regularly analyses cooking videos from other high-profile chefs and internet personalities, including Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Uncle Roger, and Chef Jean-Pierre, offering professional critiques on their techniques for dishes like fried rice, pork chops, and butter chicken.
You can learn his culinary techniques on his YouTube channel, @chefjamesmakinson. Drawing on 20 years of elite kitchen experience, he teaches viewers how to prepare professional-standard dishes at home. His videos cover fundamental skills, from making authentic Thai recipes from scratch to achieving the perfect crispy roast potatoes.
Yes, reaction videos are a major part of his channel. He reviews cooking methods from chefs like Adam Liaw and Cooking With Jack, as well as viral videos from creators like Asmongold. He provides professional feedback on techniques used for popular dishes, including poutine, burgers, pad Thai, and fried rice.
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