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Extraordinary Senses: The Chef Who Couldn't Taste

Chef Grant Achatz was running the best restaurant in America when he was diagnosed with tongue cancer

Grant Achatz grew up around his family's diner, and by the age of 12 was working there as a cook. He insisted on putting parsley on the omelettes he prepared, which his father scorned as unnecessary 'fanciness'. Little did his father know that it was this exact fanciness that would propel Grant to being one of the best chefs in the world, and to running what's been called the best restaurant in America. But at the same time as his success, Grant was given a shock diagnosis. He had tongue cancer and could lose his life. Even if he survived, he was likely to lose his sense of taste. So how did he continue to cook?

Image: Grant Achatz in his kitchen
Credit: Getty Images/Juan Naharro Gimenez

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23 minutes

Last on

Mon 31 Dec 2018 00:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sun 30 Dec 2018 10:06GMT
  • Mon 31 Dec 2018 00:06GMT

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Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected