The Cook

Originally Aired: December 11, 1960 Gunsmoke #453, "The Cook," Sandy King has found an unusual way to pay off his week-long tab at Hank Green's Del Monico restaurant in Dodge City. After Hank complains about feeding him on credit, Sandy offers to replace the establishment's drunken cook, and his culinary skills quickly transform the struggling eatery into the most popular spot in town. Matt Dillon, Doc, Chester, and Kitty all marvel at the sudden improvement in the food, and word of Sandy's cooking spreads as far as Texas among the trail herds heading to Dodge. However, the good times come to a violent end when a belligerent, half-drunk customer complains about his eggs and things escalate into a deadly confrontation. Marshal Dillon and Chester pursue Sandy across the prairie, but their chase is complicated when they encounter a large cattle herd that obliterates the fugitive's trail. The trail boss, Purdy, mentions that his men were looking forward to eating at Del Monico's after hearing about the excellent new cook. Meanwhile, Sandy's flight leads him to an isolated ranch where he encounters young Effie Jayhorn, and his reasons for stopping there may involve more than just needing rest and water.