Sundance 2018: Photos, videos from world premiere of 'Chef Flynn,' remarkable story of gifted young culinary talent

Cameron Yates directed doc on Flynn McGarry, artist whose medium is food

Chef Flynn McGarry offers a snack to Sundance Film Festival director John Cooper at the world premiere of "Chef Flynn." Tuesday, January 23, 2018. Photo by Matt Carey

Some artists work in marble. Others in mixed media. Some in acrylic, some in oil. At age 19 Flynn McGarry is already an accomplished artist, but his medium is food, his canvas the plate. The oils of this artist are the olive, the walnut, perhaps the grapeseed. 

Just how gifted he is can be seen in the new documentary Chef Flynn, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Tuesday. Cameron Yates directed the film, which charts McGarry's obsession with cooking that began when his years were measured in single digits. Like a Yo-Yo Ma in classical music or a Tiger Woods in golf, his talent manifested early -- something remarkable in itself; just as remarkable is his single-minded pursuit of an ideal of culinary perfection.

On the same day the film premiered McGarry announced he will open his first restaurant, in New York, on February 27. It will be called Gem -- his mother Meg's name spelled backwards. The instrumental role his mother has played in facilitating his culinary dreams becomes apparent in the documentary.

Below are photos from the premiere, as well as the after-party at Nelson Cottage by High West on Park Avenue in Park City, Utah.

Team "Chef Flynn." (L-R) Meg McGarry, Flynn's mother; Paris McGarry (Flynn's sister); Flynn McGarry, director Cameron Yates, producer Laura Coxson, editor Hannah Buck and executive producer Philipp Engelhorn. Photo by Matt Carey

The "Chef Flynn" gang poses for a Sundance Film Festival photographer.

L-R Flynn McGarry, subject of "Chef Flynn," editor Hannah Buck, producer Laura Coxson and director Cameron Yates. Photo by Matt Carey

Flynn McGarry (left) with director Cameron Yates and Prune Nourry (in chef's jacket). Photo by Matt Carey

(Above) Flynn McGarry tosses popcorn with director Cameron Yates. (Right) Flynn McGarry's mother, Meg. Photos by Matt Carey

---

In this video the cast and crew are brought on stage following the premiere.

---

Flynn McGarry speaks at a Q&A after the world premiere of "Chef Flynn." Photo by Matt Carey

Paris McGarry, Flynn's sister, speaks at a Q&A after the world premiere of the documentary. Photo by Matt Carey

Sundance Film Festival director John Cooper introduces the documentary "Chef Flynn" at the world premiere. Photo by Matt Carey

---

In this video Flynn McGarry and his mother Meg offer their reaction to the documentary.

---

The "Chef Flynn" team on stage for the Q&A following the world premiere. L-R Executive Producer Philipp Engelhorn, editor Hannah Buck, producer Laura Coxson, Paris McGarry, Meg McGarry, Flynn McGarry and director Cameron Yates. Photo by Matt Carey

Flynn McGarry on stage during the Q&A for Chef Flynn. The film is an acquisition title, meaning it is up for sale. As such, distribution plans are pending.

Filmmaker Kirsten Johnson (right) in conversation at the "Chef Flynn" after-party. It was held at Nelson Cottage by High West on Park Avenue. Photo by Matt Carey

Flynn McGarry with "Chef Flynn" editor Hannah Buck at the after-party. Photo by Matt Carey

Sundance Institute Executive Director Keri Putnam (right) with Rachel Denny, director of Individual Giving at the Sundance Institute. Photo by Matt Carey

Filmmaker Fenton Bailey attends the "Chef Flynn" after-party. Photo by Matt Carey

Chef Flynn checks out his phone during the after-party for the documentary. Photo by Matt Carey