Composer David Bertok, whose credits include Peace by Chocolate, Daughter of the Sun, and Botero, has earned an Emmy nomination for his work on Netflix’s Chef’s Table: Legends. Collaborating with longtime partner Duncan Thum, Bertok’s score captures both the artistry of food and the humanity of world-renowned chef José Andrés.
A Surreal Emmy Nomination
Reflecting on his reaction, Bertok said he was stunned when he saw his name listed alongside Hans Zimmer:
“Hans Zimmer’s score for The Rock was the first film music album I ever bought as a teenager, and to be nominated in the same category now… just incredible.”
A Creative Partnership
Bertok emphasized how meaningful it was to share this recognition with Duncan Thum, his collaborator since their USC days:
“We both feel that we learned a lot from each other, pushed each other creatively, and are very proud of the music we composed together. It feels like something more evolved than what each of us could have done on our own.”
Scoring José Andrés’ Story
The episode’s music was inspired by Andrés’ dual identity as both culinary genius and humanitarian founder of World Central Kitchen:
“We had those two pillars to depict with the music… and a third pillar, his vulnerable, personal reflections on balancing those two lives.”
One standout moment is the episode’s “Food Symphony” sequence, a dialogue-free montage of dishes that allowed the score to shine. Bertok described blending driving piano, rhythmic strings, solo violin, and Spanish guitar to reflect Andrés’ “playfulness, drive, poeticism, and charisma.”
See More ...
Navigating Tonal Shifts
Bertok explained that the episode’s contrasting environments demanded musical flexibility while maintaining cohesion:
“The eclectic instrumentation was held together by the string orchestra… Depending on where we were in the story, we would lean into synthesizers, processed vocals, piano, or nylon string guitar.”
Balancing Art and Documentary
For Bertok, the show’s success lies in its dual commitment to authentic storytelling and artistic presentation:
“Chef’s Table leans into both those worlds unapologetically… The fact that the show leans into theatrics so strongly allows the music to also do that in an unrestricted way.”
With his Emmy-nominated score for Chef’s Table: Legends, David Bertok showcases his ability to fuse live instrumentation, cultural influences, and cinematic emotion into a cohesive musical narrative. His collaboration with Duncan Thum highlights not only technical mastery but also the human element of music-making that resonates deeply with audiences.
