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

Documentary

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.

Jan 23, 20261 seasons5 episodesEndedEN

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Julia Child

Self

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Graham Kerr

Self

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Seasons

Miniseries

5 episodes

Premiered Jan 23, 2026

Episodes

1–5 of 5

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Ep 1

I Peddle Enthusiasm

Jan 23, 2026

55m

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.

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Ep 2

Keep Your Fingers Bent Under!

Jan 23, 2026

62m

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.

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Ep 3

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Jan 23, 2026

41m

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.

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Ep 4

Whatever I Do, I'm Forgiven

Jan 23, 2026

60m

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.

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Ep 5

Peace?

Jan 23, 2026

57m

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.