I Bid You Peace: The Rise & Fall of the Frugal Gourmet

I Bid You Peace: The Rise & Fall of the Frugal Gourmet

The meteoric rise and shocking downfall of America's most famous TV chef, The Frugal Gourmet's Jeff Smith, whose charm captivated millions—until it all came crashing down.

Documentary

Seasons

1. I Peddle Enthusiasm

Air Date: 2026-01-23

Raised in Seattle, Jeff Smith's love of food, religion, and teaching turns him into a beloved campus chaplain—and then an unlikely TV chef. As The Frugal Gourmet is born, early success collides with debt, illness, and choices that threaten everything he's built.

2. Keep Your Fingers Bent Under!

Air Date: 2026-01-23

A single TV appearance catapults Jeff to national fame. Bestselling books, global travel, and PBS stardom follow—but behind the charm are rages, excess, and growing doubts about who Jeff really is, both on-screen and off.

3. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Air Date: 2026-01-23

Returning to Seattle, Jeff searches for reinvention as cracks widen behind the scenes. New projects mix food, faith, and spectacle, but chaos and troubling behavior mount—until one unexpected phone call threatens to shatter everything.

4. Whatever I Do, I'm Forgiven

Air Date: 2026-01-23

Public accusations explode into a reckoning. As multiple men come forward, long-whispered rumors surface, dividing supporters and exposing patterns once ignored. With a lawsuit looming, Jeff's legacy—and credibility—hang in the balance.

5. Peace?

Air Date: 2026-01-23

In the aftermath, 'The Frugal Gourmet' fades from the public eye, isolated and haunted by unanswered questions. Friends, critics, and survivors reflect on Jeff's impact, struggling to reconcile generosity with harm—and asking whether peace was ever truly possible.

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Rating

0.0/10

Release Date

2026-01-23

Episodes

5 (1 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith

Self

Julia Child

Julia Child

Self

Graham Kerr

Graham Kerr

Self

Martin Yan

Martin Yan

Self

Kenneth Kantor

Kenneth Kantor

Narrator (voice)

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