Chef Jean-Pierre

Jean-Pierre Bréhier is a French chef, television personality, cookbook author, and YouTuber. As of July 2024, his YouTube channel Chef Jean-Pierre has over 1.88 million subscribers and 180 million views. His cooking tips have been cited alongside other celebrity chefs.

Personal life
Born in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, Jean-Pierre Brehier was the youngest of five children in a family where culinary arts were highly valued. His mother, Yolande, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, was a significant influence on his early culinary development.

Bréhier moved to the United States at the age of 21.

Career
At 12, he started working at a local butcher shop, where he developed a deep passion for the art of charcuterie. Determined to pursue a career in gastronomy, he embarked on a formal apprenticeship at L'Ousteau de Baumaniere, a prestigious three-star Michelin restaurant located in Provence. His apprenticeship continued on the French Riviera, where he gained further experience at esteemed establishments such as L'Oasis in La Napoule, Le Vendome in Aix-en-Provence, and the Carlton Cannes Hotel.

Bréhier then became a cook on a cruise ship, MV Renaissance, which made regular calls to Fort Lauderdale.

Restaurateur
In 1976, Chef Jean-Pierre achieved a significant milestone by opening his own restaurant, The Left Bank Restaurant, marking the beginning of his entrepreneurial ventures in the culinary world. The Left Bank was known for its innovative cuisine, impeccable service, and Chef Jean-Pierre's personal touch. For 22 years, it was lauded as one of America's finest dining establishments by Bon Appetit, Condé Nast, Gourmet Magazine, and Travel & Leisure. He would sell the restaurant in 1997.

Gourmet Magazine named The Left Bank one of the best in South Florida, and its No. 1 selection in Fort Lauderdale. Condé Nast magazine voted it one of the 100 best restaurants in America.

Television and Radio
In 1994, Chef Jean-Pierre launched his first national television series, Sunshine Cuisine, which aired on PBS. This series, comprising 80 episodes, was broadcast on 280 PBS stations across the United States, Japan, China, and Australia. The same year, he published his first cookbook, Sunshine Cuisine, mirroring the themes of his popular television show. His contributions to culinary arts were recognized when the James Beard Foundation nominated Sunshine Cuisine for Best Culinary Video.

In 1994, he also hosted his own Saturday morning radio talk show on WFTL 1400 AM.

In 1998, Chef Jean-Pierre returned to PBS with his second television series, Incredible Cuisine, which featured 26 episodes broadcast on 250 PBS stations nationwide. Concurrently, he collaborated with Time Life to publish his second cookbook, also titled Incredible Cuisine, further cementing his influence in the culinary world.

In January 2006, Chef Jean-Pierre released his third cookbook, Cooking 101, an interactive book featuring recipes inspired by the popular courses offered at Chef Jean-Pierre's Cooking School. This publication continued to showcase Chef Jean-Pierre's commitment to sharing his expertise and passion for cooking with a broader audience.

Chef Jean-Pierre's television appearances extended to being a frequent guest chef on the Today Show, where he appeared 25 times, as well as on Larry King Live, Crook & Chase, and Lifetime, showcasing his versatility and broad appeal. He has also appeared on The Food Network multiple times.

Between 2004 and 2012, Jean-Pierre had two public television intersticial series distributed to all 350 public television stations through Fast Focus Media, LLC entitled The 90 Second Gourmet and Gourmet Minutes.

Cookbooks
Chef Jean-Pierre has authored three highly acclaimed cookbooks throughout his career, each reflecting his expertise and passion for culinary arts. His first two books, Sunshine Cuisine (1994) and Incredible Cuisine (January 1997), are directly tied to his successful television series of the same names. These publications not only showcase Chef Jean-Pierre's signature recipes but also delve into the culinary philosophies and techniques that have made him a respected figure in the industry.

In 2006, Chef Jean-Pierre released his third cookbook, Cooking 101. This interactive book compiles recipes from some of the most popular courses taught at his renowned cooking school, Chef Jean-Pierre's Cooking School. The book's innovative approach earned it a Platinum Aurora Award, recognizing Chef Jean-Pierre's ability to simplify and elucidate complex culinary concepts for aspiring chefs and home cooks alike. Cooking 101 was Time Life's best selling cookbook for two years.

Cooking School
Chef Jean-Pierre's Cooking School, established in 1996, has taught over 17,000 students the joy of cooking. His cooking school partnered with Holland American cruises as an excursion experience. Offering hands-on and demonstration classes, the school catered to both gourmet cooks looking to refine their techniques and beginners taking their first steps in the culinary world. Most classes were personally taught by Chef Jean-Pierre, emphasizing an informal, fun, and educational approach to cooking.

YouTube Channel
Chef Jean-Pierre uploaded his first YouTube video on November 1, 2006, primarily for his friends and students. However, in 2020 he recognized the potential of digital platforms to reach a wider audience, so officially launched his YouTube channel, Chef Jean-Pierre Cooking School.

As of July 1, 2024, his channel exceeded 1.88 million subscribers with over 399 videos, and over 193.9 million views His YouTube channel, features recipe tutorials and cooking tips, techniques, and helpful advice. His YouTube has received positive reviews for being accessible, child friendly, and including full instructions for all his recipes.