You Asked: What Exactly Is an Underground Chef?

By: Sarah De Heer
Underground Chef Russell Jackson
Fans saw Russell make an incredible comeback this past Sunday night on Star with his bacon-bourbon marmalade burger. But when it comes to Russell's point of view, viewers are still stuck on this one question: What exactly is an underground chef?

Let's start here: Subculture dining is a version of an underground supper club. Simply put, it's an exclusive dining experience, almost like a dinner party where the guests have an intimate experience with the chef. It's a time for the chef to try new dishes, think outside the box and create something different from the usual dining experience. Just because you hear "underground chef" or "underground supper club," doesn't necessarily mean the meal takes place in the basement of a space or "underground."

Underground (n): a secret operation.
Underground Chef

How does one find out about these dinners? Usually through social media, otherwise it's word of mouth. These dinners can take place at a home, a restaurant that has lent its space after hours or other public spaces.

Moreover, an underground restaurant has an underground chef (aka Russell).

Do you have a question? Tell us in the comments below or visit Twitter and use hashtag #FoodNetworkStar.

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