Michelin Star Food Critics Reveal Their Secrets in New Gordon Ramsay-Produced Docuseries

Apple TV+ is serving up an unprecedented glimpse inside one of the most exclusive culinary institutions in the world — and PEOPLE has the exclusive sneak peak.

Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars, an eight-part docu-series executive produced by Gordon Ramsay and hosted by Jesse Burgess, co-founder of the global food and travel platform TopJaw, will premiere on Friday, Oct. 10, per information obtained by PEOPLE.

The high-stakes series explores the pressure, artistry and ambition that pave the road to Michelin recognition. For the first time in 125 years, Michelin has granted cameras behind-the-scenes access to its year-long process — including rare on-the-record interviews with its famously anonymous inspectors. 

“Working for the Micheline Guide is a bit like working for the CIA,” an anonymous food critic says in the trailer. Another voice-cloaked inspector adds that each reviewer has their methods for masking their identity, including changing names, phone numbers and emails – all to go undetected by chefs and wait staff. 

Across its global journey, Knife Edge travels to some of the world’s most celebrated dining destinations, including New York (Coqodaq, The Musket Room, Nōksu), Chicago (Cariño, Esmé, Feld), the Nordics (Aure, Jordnær, Knystaforsen), the United Kingdom (Caractère, House, Wilsons), Mexico (Em, Máximo), Italy (Agriturismo Ferdy, Kresios) and California (The Harbor House, Pasjoli, Pasta|Bar).

At each stop, Burgess joins chefs as they work to gain or simply maintain their Michelin star status — whether chasing a first star, protecting a hard-won distinction or aiming for the renowned three-star crown. The result is a deeply personal portrait of passion and perseverance in fine dining’s most elite arena.

“Meet chefs from around the world, who push themselves beyond their limits – all for a chance to bring home a star,” says Burgess. “Life-changing success or dreaming-crushing failure.”

The series also captures the grit behind the glamour, spotlighting how long hours, high stakes and relentless standards impact chefs, their teams and even their families. 

With its mix of behind-the-curtain access, international travel and chef-driven storytelling, Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars offers food enthusiasts and docuseries lovers alike a chance to experience the thrills, risks and rewards of fine dining at its very highest level.

Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars is produced for Apple TV+ by Studio Ramsay Global, with executive producers Ramsay, Lisa Edwards and Morgan Roberts.

The series premieres globally on Friday, October 10, on Apple TV+.