In a video uploaded to the official “The Tiny Chef Show” YouTube channel, Tiny Chef (voiced by Matt Hutchinson) gets a call from his bosses at “Mickelflodeon,” who deliver the devastating news that, rather than commission new episodes, Tiny Chef’s show is getting canceled. It doesn’t matter that Chef and his friends behaved on set. It doesn’t matter that Chef won an Emmy for the network. It doesn’t matter that the news will put all of Tiny Chef’s friends out of work. The corporate overlords have delivered the news, and that is final.
Watching this adorable Gumbi-like character slowly break down, his voice cracking, and then tears flow down his face, is absolutely heart-wrenching. Rather than get angry, or demand answers, Tiny Chef just lets out a big sigh, says, “I understand,” and tries to go back to cleaning before sitting down on his bed with his head in his hands, breaking down sobbing. It’s a visceral and relatable reaction to the idea of a work of art you’ve been making for years suddenly getting ripped from your hands for no discernible reason.
It’s not like the show wasn’t popular, or that it was too niche. Created by animator Rachel Larsen, Adam Reid, and Ozlem Akturk, “The Tiny Chef Show” followed its titular chef creating tiny dishes every episode, from granola bars to apple pie. A celebrity guest would lend their voice to each episode, including RuPaul, Alan Cumming, Kristen Bell, and even RZA. And the show was not just popular with kids, but with Emmy voters. “The Tiny Chef Show” received six nominations for the Children’s and Family Emmys since its debut in 2022, winning two, in 2023 and earlier this year. It’s also won two Annie Awards.
At a time when animators are under constant threat of their medium fading away and of corporations cutting jobs, replacing artists, or outright erasing completed work for a tax break, seeing Tiny Chef being openly emotional is a moment of catharsis and heartbreak for both animators and just fans everywhere. Goodbye, Tiny Chef. We hardly knew ye.
