The series follows Sacko as he travels across Japan for the first time, accompanied by pastry chef and friend Theó Segretin. Together with guests including Lupin star Omar Sy, multi-Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire and writer Chihiro Masui, Sacko explores the traditions, techniques and regional food cultures behind the Japanese bento.
Created, produced and directed by Eric Nebot, Food Samurai sees Sacko delve into a cuisine he has admired since childhood. From intimate street-food stalls and local tastings to centuries-old culinary practices, the chef seeks to understand the details that shape Japan’s celebrated gastronomy.
Read more: ‘Zootopia 3’ in Works at Disney With Ke Huy Quan Reprising Role as Gary De’Snake
Sacko, who is of Malian and Senegalese heritage, is among France’s best-known celebrity chefs. Raised in the Paris region, he rose to national prominence through the French edition of Top Chef before opening MoSuke in Paris. His cooking combines French technique with African flavours and Japanese influences, earning him a Michelin star in 2021.
“We all have an idea of Japan – we think we know sushi, tempura or yakitori, but through Mory’s eyes, we discovered just how limited our imagination had been: the air between grains of sushi rice, the sound of tempura, the discipline of fire,” said Nebot.
“The same was true of Hiroshima. Oppenheimer brought the bomb back into popular culture without taking us there. Meeting a survivor made that history immediate and human. Food Samurai is about going beyond what we think we know.”
Nebot is selling the series through his Eagles Team Entertainment imprint, with Disney+ France already attached to the project. The filmmaker previously founded product-placement firm Hill Valley, which has worked on films and series including Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the James Bond franchise and Emily in Paris.
Read more: Michelle Yeoh, Fan Bingbing, Kore-eda Hirokazu Lead Asian Talent at Busan Film Festival
His recent producing credits include Arnaud Desplechin’s Filmlovers!, Yann Gozlan’s Visions and Academy Award-nominated animated short Yuck!. Nebot also created and directed Netflix series The Chef in the Truck, following Ritz Paris pastry chef François Perret on a California trip.
