The House
The backyard of the Cook's Country house -- yes, it is a real place with real barns!
Stephanie
Stephanie is our Associate Producer for both of our TV shows and our new public radio show.
Ena
Ena, one of our kitchen assistants, standing on the front porch of the Cook's Country house.
Lighting Setup
Setting up the lights for our outdoor barbecue day.
Good morning!
Three hunting dogs down at Sherman's where I get my morning coffee.
Gina
Gina is our Assistant Test Kitchen Director.
Brenda and Jan
Brenda handles make-up and also records every scene and take during filming. Jan is our director. (He also loves motorcycles and we always take an evening ride during filming.)
Erin
Erin is our Test Kitchen Director and also appears on the show itself as a cook.
Apple Fritters
Incredible, hot, glazed apple fritters.
Well-Fed
The crew gets very excited about the eating as well as the filming. Each year, there is a contest for whomever gained the most weight.
The Crew
The crew from left to right: Jan, Stephen, Tom, Peter, Michael and Ken.
Ken's Motorcycle
Ken owns a Chinese motorcycle (more or less an old BMW) and loves to take people for a ride. This is Axel, a neighbor, who dropped by to say hello and ended up in the sidecar.
stormy weather
A dark, rainy day in the country.
Erin's Debut
Erin in her room, preparing for her first appearance on set.
Ken and Melissa
Ken, one of our cameramen (and a very good singer) and Melissa, our Producer.
With Erin
Erin and I on set.
Afterhours
A few of the crew and I got together to play a few songs at the wrap party: Amy, The Weight, and Mr. Charlie.
Melissa and Erin
Melissa and Erin at the wrap party.
About the Author: Christopher Kimball
11 Comments
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Thanks for the behind the scenes pictures. I spent many years in television production and I still like to see what goes on around the set and in unguarded moments. I enjoy the shows and these little bonuses. Thanks.
Great to see the people behind the scens thank you
Love backstage/greenroom stuff. Love the show…think I’m INlove with Bridget…most likely Erin too! Christopher? Not so much, though he has inspired me to new heights of delight in food prep!
These pictures are precious, Chris! It is so nice to see the personal aspects behind the shows that you do. It makes me feel as if I am part of the Test Kitchen, too. So fun! Some day, I would like to visit your part of the country, to see the Cook’s Country house and visit the Test Kitchen. Also, what exactly is a “hollow”? I guess I’ll have to come and see one for myself.
My grandparents, Harlow & Luella Carver owned the farm for 45+ years and raised 2 daughters there, my mother Doris and my Aunt Janice.
My favorite childhood memories are in the farm house, barns and on the property they farmed. I grew up in Wisconsin and our family traveled to Rupert for most holidays and summer vacations.
We are honored to have your show there and hope to visit sometime soon!
Thanks for the glimsp at behind the scenes. I love all of your cooking shows and am an on-line subscriber to ATK, Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s County. I notice that your staff is not very diverse. Your programs are universally enjoyed across all ethnic groups. Thank you.
I love my country dearly – Canada – but your show and your monthly newsletters often makes me wish I was a Vermonter. Great work, guys.
For more ways to peek behind the scenes, we invite you to check out our Snapshots blog, with daily updates from America’s Test Kitchen photo editor Steve Klise: http://www.americastestkitchenfeed.com/snapshots/
Gorgeous article. Makes me wish I that annually I could spend a bit of fall in VT especially with the Test Kitchen Crew.
I got my daily dose of funny today when I saw Axel in that sidecar with Ken. I don’t remember when I laughed so long and so hard honestly. I’m glad I was alone at the time!
Your show’s are amazing just like the people who work both in front of the camera as well as behind.
Keep up the great work. You are truly appreciated.
Thank you from the west side of America. My husband and I watch your show whenever possible. Even the repeats on the same day just so we can get down the details of the recipes and reviews. Lately our favorite is the pork roast and peach sauce, outstanding!!!!. Going to make it for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to see the recipes for the apple fritters pictured above.
So glad to see your show flourish. You have enhanced our family in ways you could not imagine. Thanks