The Chef

**The Chef** is the twelfth episode of the first season of *Matlock*.

## Plot

Michael and Victoria Edwards may be divorced, but unfortunately, she couldn't keep him from being a guest on her show. When Michael dies after testing out the dish they were cooking, Victoria is immediately charged with his murder. Matlock agrees to defend her, and gets some good home cooking in the bargain.

## Cast

### Main

* Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock
* Linda Purl as Charlene Matlock
* and Kene Holiday as Tyler Hudson

### Guest Stars

* Roddy McDowall as Christopher Hoyt
* Allan Arbus as Peter Leone
* Ray Reinhardt as Stephen Lichtman
* James McEachin as Lt. Frank Daniels
* Lee Garlington as Paula
* Nancy Lane as Leslie Fisher
* Craig Claiborne as Michael Edwards
* Michael Durrell as Lloyd Burgess

*and*

* Cathryn Damon as Victoria Edwards

### Co-Starring

* Jeff Austin as Police Officer
* Joseph Burke as Bakery Manager
* Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey

### Featuring

* Ed Enrich as Man
* Buddy Garion as Poker Player
* Adriano Reboro as Maitre'd

## Trivia

* Final appearance of James McEachin as Lt. Frank Daniels, although McEachin did return for the Season 9 episode The Assault, but in a different role.

## Quotes

**Victoria Edwards:** Someone broke in here last night.

**Paula:** Really? Why would anyone break in?

**Victoria:** Well, it’s probably some viewer desperately seeking my recipe for *blanquette de veau*.

**Paula:** Listen, about the guest I scheduled today.

**Victoria:** That darling little chef from the Brittany? If you tell me he had to cancel, you’re gonna break my heart.

**Paula:** He didn’t cancel. He’ll be on *next week*.

**Victoria:** *(smiles)* So who’s gonna be on *today*?

**Paula:** Well, I’m sure you’ve heard that Michael’s in town promoting his new cookbook.

**Victoria:** *(as her smile fades)* You’re not serious.

**Paula:** He’ll be here in 30 minutes. Now, I know it’ll be a little awkward for you, but—

**Victoria:** Awkward? *Awkward*?

**Paula:** Victoria, like it or not, right now Michael Edwards is hot. His book is going to be a bestseller.

**Victoria:** Everything that is in that book I taught him in the 12 years we were married.

**Paula:** Victoria, you are the last word on cooking in Atlanta, but we’re having a hard time selling the show in syndication. *(Victoria angrily chops the onions)* We need guests like Michael Edwards or there won’t be any show. *(Victoria again angrily chops the onions)* Michael is on the show. *(rolls her eyes and walks away)*

**Victoria:** You’ll notice that as I cook the sauce over high heat, I stir it constantly.

**Michael Edwards:** The point is you want this sauce to *thicken* and not *burn*.

**Victoria:** Right you are again, Michael. That was very well put. How’s your book doing? I hear it’s just flying off the stands.

**Michael:** As a matter of fact, I hear it’s selling *extremely* well *coast to coast*.

**Victoria:** I hear it’s the result of 12 *years* of research.

**Michael:** It seemed like 12 *centuries*.

**Victoria:** Had we more time, I would pour this heated sauce over the meat and vegetables, stir gently, and then simmer until the veal is thoroughly heated. But because we are almost out of time, I’ll just show you the results. There it is.

**Michael:** May I taste it?

**Victoria:** Sure.

**Michael:** This is remarkably good, and remarkably similar to a recipe you’ll find in my book.

**Victoria:** What a coincidence.

**Ben Matlock:** *(to Victoria)* Tell me about your ex-husband.

**Victoria:** Well, when I married Michael, he was very attractive, very charming. So I got him cooking. And the next thing I know, not only is he divorcing me, but he’s taking over the gourmet show I started in New York. I wound up with a cooking school in Atlanta.

**Tyler Hudson:** I just won the Junior Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-off. Two thousand dollars.

**Ben:** Two thousand dollars? That must be some chili.

**Tyler:** A Victoria Edwards recipe: Chilli made with chicken with a peanut butter sauce, with a few secret ingredients of my own on the side.

**Charlene Matlock:** Sounds awful.

**Ben:** Tyler, meet Victoria Edwards. *(to Victoria)* This is Tyler Hudson, our investigator.

**Tyler:** *(charmingly takes Victoria’s hand in his)* My dear lady, it is a pleasure to meet you. I rarely miss your show. *(kisses her hand before letting it go)*

**Victoria:** *(smiles)* Well, thank you.

**Ben:** What’d you find out down at the police lab?

**Tyler:** Ah-ha. Sodium cyanide.

**Ben:** Sodium cyanide?

**Tyler:** Will kill you in between **heartbeats**.

**Ben:** Hmm. *(turns to Victoria)* Who do you know that wants to kill you?

**Victoria:** Kill me? Why do you think it was meant for **me**?

**Charlene:** Because you taste the things you cook on your show.

**Victoria:** Of course. And since Michael was on, I was instructed to feature him as much as possible. I let him do all the tasting.

**Charlene:** And this is Atlanta. Michael Edwards didn’t have any enemies here, did he?

**Victoria:** No. I wouldn’t think so.

**Ben:** Well, I’ll bet whoever broke in here that night planted the poison.

**Ben:** Tyler, I want you to stick close to Miss Edwards for the time being.

**Tyler:** I’m here.

**Victoria:** *(to Tyler)* Could you get that pan down for me, please? I have a slight problem with heights.

**Tyler:** My dear lady, retrieving your pan is my pleasure.

**Victoria:** Thank you.