


America Trusted Him. Then the Allegations Surfaced.
One Story. Two Ways to Watch.
I Bid You Peace — named for Mr. Smith’s signature sign-off — will shed fresh light on the case.
Julia Moskin

‘I Bid You Peace’ gives us a detailed, fascinating and, yes, disturbing portrait of a complicated and reportedly damaged and dangerous man.
Rick Kogan

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Based on 304 verified purchases
"This was so beautifully presented, with interest, humanity, complexity, and sensitivity. I found it fascinating from start to finish, and very much hope these documentatrians will continue their work with another subject; they do a fantastic job."
Mary
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"I was very interested in seeing this documentary, but I was hesitant to pay for it since I pay for multiple streaming services already. I'm glad that I did. Firstly, because it was very informative and well done and secondly, to support new talent. I'm glad this is out there for others to see. This story needs to be told."
Lisa
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"Amazing. Thorough, so engaging and well-developed story…my mom and I watched the entire 5 episodes on the edge of our seats. High production value also. Great job I am so glad I saw it!"
Nicole
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"I Bid You Peace was genuinely eye-opening for me. Despite growing up in the PNW, I had no prior knowledge of Jeff Smith, his show, or the allegations that ended his career. Yet I found myself immediately drawn into his fascinating and tragic story. The interviews feel genuinely honest and raw, a refreshing departure from overly-produced streaming content today. My one complaint is that one interview camera seemed of lesser quality, leading to distracting perspective switches. Despite online accusations of it being a “hit piece,” I Bid You Peace presents a well-rounded portrait that allows viewers to grapple with the complexity of the man and his legacy. In an era when streaming services stretch stories into bloated episodes, this docuseries respects its audience, delivering a deep dive without unnecessary padding. Overall it’s an excellent example of what documentary filmmaking can achieve when it prioritizes substance over spectacle."
Dustin
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Raised in Seattle, Jeff Smith's love of food, religion, and teaching turns him into a beloved campus chaplain—and then an unlikely TV chef. As The Frugal Gourmet is born, early success collides with debt, illness, and choices that threaten everything he's built.

A single TV appearance catapults Jeff to national fame. Bestselling books, global travel, and PBS stardom follow—but behind the charm are rages, excess, and growing doubts about who Jeff really is, both on-screen and off.

Returning to Seattle, Jeff searches for reinvention as cracks widen behind the scenes. New projects mix food, faith, and spectacle, but chaos and troubling behavior mount—until one unexpected phone call threatens to shatter everything.

Public accusations explode into a reckoning. As multiple men come forward, long-whispered rumors surface, dividing supporters and exposing patterns once ignored. With a lawsuit looming, Jeff's legacy—and credibility—hang in the balance.

After the fall, "The Frugal Gourmet" fades from public life, isolated and haunted by unanswered questions. Friends, critics, and survivors reflect on his impact, struggling to reconcile generosity with harm—and asking whether peace was ever truly possible.
Total Runtime: 4.6 hours • 4K Quality • Subtitles Available
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Growing up in Seattle in the 1980s and 90s, Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet was a household name. A former Methodist minister, he became an overnight sensation teaching America to cook through his PBS cooking show. He reached an estimated six million households each week across more than 300 Public Television stations nationwide, and authored 12 cookbooks, many of them New York Times bestsellers.
But behind the public success lay a darker story. At the height of his career, Smith's carefully cultivated image collapsed under the weight of shocking revelations, forever altering his legacy and changing the way the public viewed a beloved national figure.
I set out not only to examine the life of Jeff Smith, but also to grapple with his legacy — and what it reveals about how we, as a society, respond when public figures we admire are accused of terrible behavior. His story has never before been told in its entirety, and this independent production is the first to take on that challenge — a story that predated the #MeToo movement — and confronts the cultural reckoning around power, celebrity, and accountability.
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chris@ibidyoupeace.comWatch the Complete Series or the Feature Film Version Instantly — No Subscription Required
1 hour 46 minutes
$5.99
5 episodes + film
$12.99
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