100 Movies Every Catholic Should See #132: Chef (2014)

Written by, directed by, and starring Jon Favreau

Growing up, I would always look forward to visiting my grandparent’s house on the weekends. Not only was it a great opportunity to catch up with a giant family of tíos, tías, and primos, but it also meant getting to enjoy some of my abuelo’s cooking. He didn’t cook often, but when he did it was a sure fire treat. Some of his staples included sancocho, empanadas, and my absolute favorite, cazuela de frijoles. I suppose it was these visits that stirred a love for food and cooking in me. Once I was in college and graduated, it took a lot of trial and error to learn how to cook. But after some years of experimentation and tons of successes and failures, I still have a lot to learn and experience.

One of the first recipes I attempted on my own a few years ago was the pasta aglio e oglio from Chef. The thought of taking simple ingredients (pasta, garlic, chili flake, olive oil, parsley, salt) and getting a result greater than the sum of its parts was intriguing. Definitely wasn’t my best work, but it was the entrance to a rabbit hole that I’ve been going down in for years. Here’s the thing about cooking though: even though there’s plenty of creative satisfaction in knowing how ingredients work and putting a spin on recipes, my fire for the process and art is not about the food itself, it’s about the people I get to share it with. This is why Chef is a film that’s resonated with me for years.

We’re introduced to our protagonist, Carl Casper, who has a passion for cooking and works as an executive chef in one of the top restaurants of Los Angeles. Fully immersed in his work, Carl clearly puts all he has in making masterpieces in the kitchen, even at the expense of having a broken marriage and family dynamic. He dares to go the extra mile and be bold in his recipes, but faces pushback. This inner conflict reaches a breaking point when a critic absolutely scorches his work, and this exchange explodes on Twitter. Furthermore, this results in an eruption on Carl’s end as he vents about how chocolate lava cake is meant to be molten and not undercooked. As a result of this, Carl is then forced to restart from the ground up, but not just with his culinary career. He encounters an even more necessary rebuild: the relationship with his son, Percy.

This film excels with showing the importance of relationship building and quality time, especially through the lens of a child wanting to spend time with his father. Percy isn’t interested in going to theme parks or playing the latest video games with his dad. Doing mundane tasks like setting up an online account, going to the store to grab supplies, or even scrubbing down an old food truck is what he desires. All these tasks require Carl to slow down his pace and really forge a relationship with his son. In the process of cooking as well, with and for loved ones, it requires anyone to slow down and communicate. Whenever I invite people over, or share in the joy of cooking with friends or family, it’s always an opportunity to build even deeper bonds.

This idea of slowing down is also highlighted through the shots of food and cooking all throughout. Chopping, mixing, spreading, toasting, searing, and sauteeing brings the vibrant colors and flavors to the screen. Seriously, it’s not a good idea to see this film on an empty stomach. In this, Jon Favreau excels and emphasizes the idea of slowing down and taking in the joys and wonders of everyday life. Even in his own career, he sandwiched this film in between the blockbuster Iron Man films, and the reimagining of Disney’s Jungle Book and The Lion King. All those films have incredible amounts of CGI and special effects, yet a simple two-minute montage of a grilled cheese being made is what shines here, and it’s special. Often we take the little moments for granted, whether it’s in or outside the kitchen.

Another aspect of Chef I appreciate is the showcasing of different cuisines across the United States (and it really just scratches the surface with this). It starts off in Los Angeles which is no stranger to impressive restaurants, as well as being a melting pot of a variety of cultures. Then, Carl takes his talents to South Beach and spends a significant portion of this film reinventing himself in the 305. This hits close to home, as I grew up and live in Miami. The humble Cuban sandwich may not seem like anything crazy, but if you ever have the experience of trying one, you realize it’s truly magificent. (The film uses another adjective in Spanish to describe it, but I won’t repeat it since it’s a bit crude). The vibrant culture of Miami’s scene is on full display here, form the salsa clubs to the palm trees along the beach.

But it doesn’t stop there. Carl, along with Percy and sous chef (John Leguizamo) make their way to the Big Easy and enjoy their beignets and serve hungry customers there. Even though I’ve yet to visit New Orleans, I’m no stranger to a good crab boil, or some shrimp gumbo. America’s variety of cuisines are just briefly shown here, but when given the opportunity to travel, there really is a ton of richness and culture all throughout the 50 states. Our food truck crew also makes a stop deep in the Heart of Texas to delight in the ecstasy of having smoked brisket and good ol’ barbecue. Austin is a city that’s grown close to me over the last few years, having visited several times. It’s music scene and southern hospitality really is one of a kind. And seriously, please do yourself a favor and try some brisket if you ever go down there - you’ll thank me later.

What seems like a fun cross country road trip becomes a bond for a father and son to share in. Carl has his moments where he shares in his passion for cooking with Percy, and explains to him how important it is to work with care and passion. For anyone who’s had the chance to take a trip like this, it’s not just about the calories you put on in trying these different dishes and cuisines, it’s about the people you get to share it with. It’s in breaking bread with family and friends where memories are made that last a lifetime.

Anyone who knows me, knows I take a lot of pride in sharing “good vibes” through food and coffee. It’s always been a joy of mine to host and cook for people, no matter how much work it takes. Jon Favreau really crafted a 2 hour film that places a focus this idea. There’s no crazy plot twists or big dramatic moments in the majority of this film. It is, however, a masterclass in demonstrating the importance of slowing down, showing perseverance, fostering relationships, and enjoying the passage of time through good food. Any big Hollywood director can always look for the next billion dollar blockbuster to put out, but Chef shines as Jon Favreau’s most earnest and sincere work.

There’s constant pressure from the outside world to be completely immersed in the hustle and bustle. Even though it’s good to work hard and chase success, what good is it for if we neglect our loved ones, or lose sight of the small moments that shine each day? The small moments matter most here, which is a great lesson for anyone to take. I believe most people can recall fond memories shared around a table with great food and good company. It’s those moments that shine the most, where I cherish the people I care about, and keeps their memories and stories alive.