If I could live inside a show, it would be this one. I love everything about it--the scenery (set in beautiful Freedom, Maine), the warmth of the women who are the heart and soul of the restaurant, the story and creativity of Erin French...not to mention the unbelievably delicious dishes featured at each supper. I would *love* to visit The Lost Kitchen with my husband one day. Such an inspirational and beautiful show!
22 Reviews
Great Show
jiaidc19 October 2023
I am astounded reading some of the bad reviews. Is this who we are now. It is a show about a woman who comes back to the small town in Maine where she grew up and opens a restaurant to celebrate the diversity of food in Maine.
One review questioned the low diversity on the show. A show is now unacceptable unless there is diversity - seriously. So a show in rural Maine must fail because the state is 95% white and there is no opportunity for diversity. That's insane.
There are many reviews saying her cooking is pompous and being critical of their efforts during Covid. This is everything bad about Social media, there are too many people that behave terribly because they don't have to say it to someone's face.
I enjoy it as a simple New England cooking show about preparing wholesome good food. When I used to live in New England I admired how everything they do: cooking, woodworking, etc is made with quality. This show celebrates that and I enjoy it for that.
One review questioned the low diversity on the show. A show is now unacceptable unless there is diversity - seriously. So a show in rural Maine must fail because the state is 95% white and there is no opportunity for diversity. That's insane.
There are many reviews saying her cooking is pompous and being critical of their efforts during Covid. This is everything bad about Social media, there are too many people that behave terribly because they don't have to say it to someone's face.
I enjoy it as a simple New England cooking show about preparing wholesome good food. When I used to live in New England I admired how everything they do: cooking, woodworking, etc is made with quality. This show celebrates that and I enjoy it for that.
If LLBean Made Porn It Would Be This Show
lenaluthor-668958 February 2023
Watch the first half of each episode for spectacular Maine scenery and hyperlocal, seasonal ingredients. Oh, rutabaga is the only vegetable in season this week? Onto the menu it goes! Not really a cooking show (no recipes, and no real details of how Erin French is making what she's making, except it will probably involve lots of butter) but not really a travelog either. But very, very pretty in that "soft focus, tinkly music" Magnolia Network style. French's solid support for local farmers and producers, particularly female-owned, is nice to see. 9/10
Then come back to hate-watch the second half where largely insufferable, overwhelmingly white diners who entered a lottery to get a seat (yes really) rave about *everything.* About Erin French, the food, the experience, the ambience, Maine: everything. Thrill while they eat and declare everything sublime, wonderful, best thing ever eaten, etc. The Lost Kitchen is only open a few months of the year and only serves a multicourse dinner treated like a dinner party, including French's making a toast every night while her diners, paying roughly $200 a pop without alcohol, gaze at her starry-eyed like she's their best friend and mom rolled into one. It's almost painful to watch. Oh, and it's only French's fixed menu. No choices, no requests, no accommodations. Their website is very clear on this. The food looks very nice, but the whole dining experience seems so very "Stepford Wives"-esque it must be seen to be believed. 4/10
Conclusion: 7/10.
Then come back to hate-watch the second half where largely insufferable, overwhelmingly white diners who entered a lottery to get a seat (yes really) rave about *everything.* About Erin French, the food, the experience, the ambience, Maine: everything. Thrill while they eat and declare everything sublime, wonderful, best thing ever eaten, etc. The Lost Kitchen is only open a few months of the year and only serves a multicourse dinner treated like a dinner party, including French's making a toast every night while her diners, paying roughly $200 a pop without alcohol, gaze at her starry-eyed like she's their best friend and mom rolled into one. It's almost painful to watch. Oh, and it's only French's fixed menu. No choices, no requests, no accommodations. Their website is very clear on this. The food looks very nice, but the whole dining experience seems so very "Stepford Wives"-esque it must be seen to be believed. 4/10
Conclusion: 7/10.
Inspirational!
ramonar-2972130 January 2021
This is not your ordinary cooking show, but the story of a woman who has accomplished her dream. She is an inspiration to all, regardless if you cook or not. First rate show that leaves you warm and fuzzy, smiling, positive, and feeling that you too can accomplish anything.
Don't pay any mind to the bad reviews!
SweeetTator27 April 2022
This show is delightful! And for hell sakes, it's about cooking. Expecting drama (as another reviewer was hoping for)in a show about food is utterly ridiculous. And calling the cast pompous and whiny is pathetic. These are women showcasing backroad farms (the backbone of this country), salty, humble fisherman and small town America.
I love Erin's menus, creativity, and the ambiance and beauty she and her staff bring to each meal.
I love Erin's menus, creativity, and the ambiance and beauty she and her staff bring to each meal.
So real!
dawnellis-2995326 February 2021
I loved how this show hit every emotion of Erin as well as my every emotion. Fear, hope, happiness, friendship, connection to where you live. So many emotions. The times helped with a lot of the suspense and emotion, but even episode 1 had it and it was pre-Covid. Bravo.
Great show
afbennett-8100830 July 2021
I really enjoyed watching Erin come out of such trouble, I know how hard that is, and she did it. Great respect for that.
She and her girls work very hard to make the food the best they can. I would like to know more of their recipes.
I am anxious for the next season...
She and her girls work very hard to make the food the best they can. I would like to know more of their recipes.
I am anxious for the next season...
Wonderful show!!!!!!
mfugazy23 January 2023
I absolutely adore Erin French and and The Lost Kitchen
She is so inspirational and shares so much of her journey through food. Best series on tv right now.
Her book Finding Freedom is heart wrenching, beautiful and I couldn't put it down. I hope to one day visit the restaurant in Maine and enjoy her wonderful food. Just bought the cookbook as well and it is filled with delicious recipes I can't wait to try. In the series she demonstrates inventive ways to use seasonal ingredients and presents them in such creative and lovely ways with edible flowers like nasturtiums and violets. Love this show!
Her book Finding Freedom is heart wrenching, beautiful and I couldn't put it down. I hope to one day visit the restaurant in Maine and enjoy her wonderful food. Just bought the cookbook as well and it is filled with delicious recipes I can't wait to try. In the series she demonstrates inventive ways to use seasonal ingredients and presents them in such creative and lovely ways with edible flowers like nasturtiums and violets. Love this show!
Magical
cynthialandrum28 April 2023
I never knew a dinner service could be so special, personal, and immaculate, with no detail over looked. The absolute freshest local ingredients, each dish a work of art.
All the restaurant customers show on their faces that they are experiencing something really special. I would love to go there. Erin French is gifted. She should be proud of her accomplishments. It's nothing short of amazing. My favorite, feel good show.
It's a story of a community, working together. Most restaurants get their food from food service companies. Erin has created a booming economy in her community by sourcing her ingredients locally. This is rare and very special. Erin includes her family, friends, and neighbors in her success as well as promotes local farms and fishermen.
You go to the lost kitchen to experience the best of everything fresh available locally.
The meal is a journey of discovery. Each course a discovery of flavors.
All the restaurant customers show on their faces that they are experiencing something really special. I would love to go there. Erin French is gifted. She should be proud of her accomplishments. It's nothing short of amazing. My favorite, feel good show.
It's a story of a community, working together. Most restaurants get their food from food service companies. Erin has created a booming economy in her community by sourcing her ingredients locally. This is rare and very special. Erin includes her family, friends, and neighbors in her success as well as promotes local farms and fishermen.
You go to the lost kitchen to experience the best of everything fresh available locally.
The meal is a journey of discovery. Each course a discovery of flavors.
pretty low diversity
howboutthisone_huh18 November 2021
How do you get a show like this on cable with such a low diversity score? Oh, make it all about women. Ok, so besides that, it's very entertaining, kitchen porn. It's shot in the same style as 'chefs table' . Don't know if it's the same production team but everyone producing these homespun, farm to table shows all seem to be along the same style. The camera shots, angles, lighting, dialog, and so on are all the same. What you don't get is any drama or friction. The characters talk about bad experiences but as so typical, it doesn't come out in the characters on screen. It's the stereotypical story of celebrities going thru a baptism of tests by the gods and then coming out, rebuilding into superhumans to say to us mortals, follow me and you too can be amazing which of course is a lie, and they know it's a lie unless maybe they're not real people. And you get home after your hour commute on the freeway, with all the other drones, and doesn't that rejuvenate you and recharge your batteries? Everyone is laughing, joking, living their best lives. That's fine, I enjoy that, and if that's what it takes to make it in small town maine, good for them, but as a viewer, awhile the religion starts to wear, or it congeals. Whichever, it's smoke and mirrors anyways; for most, an unattainable fantasy. So for inspirational kitchen porn, this is an 8 or 9 but for having to go back every day to reality, it's a 5 or 6. There's a great quote I heard the other day, and this is not an exact quote (except from the source where I found it), "the most important thing you should ask yourself is what myth am I living -- carl jung"
Best show I have found by mistake!
jslhg2 February 2023
Had never heard of this show! Channel surfing one Sunday afternoon I landed on The Lost Kitchen and have been hooked since. I love the way they locally source as many food items as possible. I love her story, both the bad and the good! Her mom adds her connection to her self-taught cooking style and I LOVE the way they arrange flowers for each meal. For me, the inclusion of edible flowers made me order more for my spring plantings. The mystic of a postcard being your only access to having this dream of an evening is quite captivating
Watching this show adds an additional calm to a great Sunday afternoon! Looking forward to the new season. I am assuming later on on 2023 or even 2024!
Watching this show adds an additional calm to a great Sunday afternoon! Looking forward to the new season. I am assuming later on on 2023 or even 2024!
Pretentious
mryamz-224-7646224 February 2022
Everything about this show is grating. The chef, Erin, talks about her food like everyone should love it. There is nothing special about what she prepares, yet still pretends that it is sophisticated and special. The editing, framing, soundtrack, dialog; literally everything about this show is designed to make the viewer feel like that are watching something special, but it comes across as just incredibly pretentious.
Love the show, but...
mary-dionne10 February 2021
Why are these people wearing masks under their chins? The premise of the series is how to work in the pandemic, and the team is not distancing enough and are wearing masks around their necks is many scenes. Totally unacceptable
Add this show to Primetime TV
nancy_onago22 January 2023
I set my alarm to watch this show at 1:00 pm on Sundays, Mountain Time. I wish it was on during Primetime, instead of some of the same old same old shows. I love the freshness of Erin and her staff, and their dedication to preparing and serving unique menus. She uses local foods as much as possible. Going to local orchards, bakeries, farms, fisheries, coffee grinders, Places you would not normally seek out. This is very satisfying to watch. It is different from just a "cooking show", it is her way of life showing the struggles and creativity that Erin has learned and earned. Her backstory is very inspiring. I love to watch her. I wish her continued success.
Pretentious Whining at its Best
copdl27 March 2022
Watching one season of this show was enough. Every show is the same...Erin French constantly whining about how hard it is to serve up a good meal. For heaven's sake, she only serves 48 people at a sitting, 4 nights a week, and everybody gets the same meal per night. And she has 5-6 people helping her! French has done a great marketing job of making ordinary people feel as though the gods have smiled upon them if theirs is the postcard chosen out of the thousands that get sent her way, but it costs well over $100 per person to eat there, most often at a picnic table outside. Great marketing job, but little else. I have more respect for those that work their tails off every day in real restaurants.
Only a few episodes and you get the gist
du_puy18 February 2023
I can't watch more than 1 episode a week on this. It gets a little over the top real fast. I like seeing the flavors she puts together and also the local farmers, ranchers, and local artisans that she deals with. It's also interest to hear her ideas on how the menu develops. However, it is interspersed with so much angsty or self congratulatory saccharine dialog I find myself rolling my eyes. And it's clear that they are living a privileged life, which is very good for them but is very tone deaf when you think about the real suffering of people who worked in the restaurant biz during the pandemic. Everything is either "absolutely perfect" or "a complete disaster" that she can't deal with which, of course, she pulls out to make absolutely perfect by service time. It's Martha Stewart meets Joanna Gaines with a bi-polar angle.
It's worth a watch, just don't try to binge it.
It's worth a watch, just don't try to binge it.
The essential white privilege
rinpet-567373 November 2021
Covid sucked for everyone. But when a business is bankrolled by a wealthy husband and clients willing to shell out $200 per person, I really don't see the struggle. This show is the perfect highlight of upper class "cottage culture" with a little bit of "oh no we were exposed to covid that one time." I want to watch a show about an inner city business that's been around for 40 years and charges $10 per plate and how THEY managed to get through covid. Just... ugh.
Vanity the name is...
hwjpqwv10 October 2022
Erin French comes across as supremely self-centered and self satisfied. If she could show even an ounce of humility, you'd root for her, but instead she gives herself all the kudos. I can't finish watching the series because her "me, me, me" dialogue becomes unbearable. No one wants to watch someone behaving as if what they're doing is some rare magic. It's not The only thing unique about what she's doing is having a postcard lottery to get a table. No Thank you.
I really wanted to like the show. Instead of getting hungry or inspired to cook as I do when watching a really great cook who has charm and humility, such as Ina Garten, watching "The Lost Kitchen only makes me lose my appetite.
I really wanted to like the show. Instead of getting hungry or inspired to cook as I do when watching a really great cook who has charm and humility, such as Ina Garten, watching "The Lost Kitchen only makes me lose my appetite.
This is just Magnolia douchebag window dressing.
MK_Ultra_26 February 2022
Being a fan since her Airstream days of her style and cooking, I have to say when your strip away her beginnings and personal story and just focus on her at her restaurant---now that she has money from book deal and cookbook---she becomes insufferable right before your/my eyes here. She isn't fake but the cringe factor spikes considerably in season two, barely making it past the exceptionally whiny "scone episode" and appears the content was fading fast enough to what appears to be a staged unplugged walk-in dilemma. I'm glad, in retrospect, that (pre-postcard) the reservation I requested some years ago, I couldn't actually do, due to conflicting vacationing days. We looked at each other after watching season 1, and said we wouldn't have fit in with these even more insufferable patrons as it was---traveling from all over to trip over themselves while ogling and fawning over a cheese plate. Her stylistic approach gets washed over by the pretention and douchiness. By the end of the first two "seasons" (season 2 is like 4 episodes) it was nothing more than a mercy watch, and a painful one. If watching a woman whine about her struggles during the pandemic, while sitting in her new Land Rover, and watching Biff, her new financier wander around the restaurant grounds---finally taking some episodes off to go sailing, you identify real quick what you're witnessing and it all comes across as tone deaf, and should. I have friends in the Portland area who really felt the pain and struggle during this same period and resorted to running a 3 person show to be able to pay the bills...while this show demonstrates just how oft putting not only the show is, but what she has become in such a short period of time.
Title is true, they are lost. Pompous and out of touch
michael100012 April 2021
Man this show is obnoxious. They had a great plot with covid and it totally showed that these people are completely out of touch with the real world. Especially when it came to actually being safe for themselves and customers, the owner and staff wore masks when they felt like it and just cried and cried about how hard it is, when REAL restaurants that are open all year, not just the summer, had to struggle. This show may be good for a season but I have a feeling everyone will be completely shut off and annoyed by the owner.
Depressing
sherigeisler31 January 2022
I liked the show at first but it got annoying with the continued talk about how hard they've had it with COVID. Scared people that are running with the sheep, we all know the masks don't work anyway so why wear them. It's just a depressing show. Makes you feel like your in a black cloud after watching it. I hope they get over all the Struggling and soap opera BS and make a good show out of it, but so far not good at all.
Wanted to like
Lillykin19 October 2022
I don't really care if the food is good and what the owner went through. I am completely turned off by the hype. Mailing in for reservations under the guise of "saving" the post office. How so? The restaurant is only open from May to maybe October? No one is trained? Hygiene? Everyone seems lovely but there is no reason for this place to be so kitchy.
The restaurant serves local which is great but I'm not sure what the hype is about.
Hopefully they change their attitude of being exclusive. There are far better places with less hype. People should have to plan their travels around reservations. The fact that this doesn't bother the owner says a lot.
The restaurant serves local which is great but I'm not sure what the hype is about.
Hopefully they change their attitude of being exclusive. There are far better places with less hype. People should have to plan their travels around reservations. The fact that this doesn't bother the owner says a lot.
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