chef movie review nyt

Carnivores, prepare to salivate. “Chef,” an affable and affectionate celebration of food, friendship and familial love, may feature two of the most photogenic ladies in Hollywood but even such dishy visions as Sofia Vergara (using her indoor voice for once) and Scarlett Johansson (with boho bangs and hipster tattoos) can’t hope to compete with the sight of a sizzling slab of Texas-style brisket that’s been grilled to crusty blackened perfection.

Just as audiences were compelled to clap after Jennifer Hudson got through decimating the Broadway showstopper “And I Am Telling You” in “Dreamgirls,” many filmgoers may be moved to audibly share their appreciation of the succulent slices of barbecued heaven. That is in addition to being able to ogle scrumptious portions of Cuban sandwiches, beef cheeks, Cornish game hen  and a glistening, gluttonous mound of fresh-off-the pig  bacon. Not that there aren’t an occasional bunch of carrots and a couple yucca roots lying around the kitchen. But no one will ever mistake “ Chef” of being vegan-friendly.

The script, alas, is somewhat less dramatically meaty than the entrees. Let’s just say the final outcome is as almost-as-expected as the bill at the end of an evening of dining out. But it is a pleasure to sit back and enjoy the goings-on as performed by an engaging troupe of actors and to savor the efforts of “Chef”’s star and writer/director Jon Favreau , whose warm and down-to-earth personality flavors every scene. This is comfort comedy, pure and simple.

“Chef” is being hailed as a return of sorts to Favreau low-budget indie roots as a filmmaker with “ Swingers ” and “ Made .” That was before he was recruited for summer tentpole duty with “ Iron Man ” and “ Iron Man 2 ,” along with the roundly panned outer-space Western “Cowboys & Aliens.” Although this re-embrace of a more modest approach—a palate cleanser, as it were—probably has most in common with the good-natured spirit and emotional highs of “ Elf ” than those early bro-capades with pal Vince Vaughn .

However, it is not hard to make a connection between Favreau’s motivations behind making “Chef” and those of his of Carl Casper, a respected head cook at a fancy Los Angeles eatery who feels stymied by the creative restrictions placed upon him by his more conservative boss ( Dustin Hoffman , in testy terrier mode). “Be an artist on your own time,” shouts Hoffman, himself an infamous perfectionist who has probably been the recipient of such advice back in the day.

When Carl is forced to serve an influential restaurant critic ( Oliver Platt ) the same old tried-and-true menu instead stretching beyond the expected, the result is a scathing review that not only tears into his “needy aunt” recipes but also insults his girth, suggesting that the chef has been consuming all the meals sent back to the kitchen. It’s a blow to his very soul.

What blogging was to “Julie & Julia,” tweeting is to “ Chef.” Carl gets a first-hand lesson in the dangers of social media when his 10-year-old tech-whiz son, Percy (admirably real-kid-like Emjay Anthony ), shows him how to set up a Twitter account so he can follow the reaction to the nasty write-up. When Carl accidentally replies to the critic publically, it sets off a flame war as well as results in a viral smart-phone video of him losing his temper that ultimately gets him canned. 

Carl’s well-off ex-wife Inez (Vegara) decides to play fairy godmother—rarely has a former partner in a movie been this mature and supportive—pays his way to Miami so he can share more time with their son while she works. Her ulterior motive is for him to get his juices flowing again by revisiting where he got his start in the food business. She also recruits her first ex-husband,  the wealthy owner of a local construction firm, to provide a food truck so Carl can get back to basics and start fresh.

At this point, “ Chef” briefly becomes “The Robert Downey Jr. Show” as Favreau allows his Iron Man to amusingly turn his character into an attention-deficit poster boy who is capable of discussing five different subjects at the same time in a single conversation.

Once Carl, Percy and line-cook buddy Martin ( John Leguizamo , who adds welcome spice) remodel the beat-up vehicle into a spiffy Cubano sandwich emporium, “ Chef” hits the road and becomes part food-fueled travelogue, part father-and-son reunion as the trio travels to such feasting meccas as New Orleans (beignets at Café Du Monde) and Austin (the aforementioned brisket at Franklin Barbecue) before returning home to L.A.

If the Food Network ever decided to add a soap opera to its lineup, it could do worse than borrow from Favreau’s  stripped-down yet satisfying recipe. I, for one, would add it to my DVR queue, even if they recast Carl with Guy Fieri. 

Susan Wloszczyna

Susan Wloszczyna spent much of her nearly thirty years at USA TODAY as a senior entertainment reporter. Now unchained from the grind of daily journalism, she is ready to view the world of movies with fresh eyes.

• John Leguizamo as Martin
• Robert Downey Jr. as Marvin
• Jon Favreau as Carl Casper
• Oliver Platt as Ramsey Michel
• Scarlett Johansson as Molly
• Bobby Cannavale as Tony
• Emjay Anthony as Percy
• Sofía Vergara as Inez
• Dustin Hoffman as Riva
• Amy Sedaris as Jen
• Jon Favreau

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User reviews

a simple but refreshing comedy

• Mar 19, 2012

It doesn't simply deliver, it serves with elegance!

• Jul 20, 2012

Good-natured but predictable and harmless fun

• IndustriousAngel
• Sep 8, 2013

Entirely predictable, and entirely delightful

• harry_tk_yung
• Aug 11, 2012

Oh, it's all good fun, but no great shakes. Feel good! Go ahead! I did.

• Feb 24, 2015

Tasteful comedy

• JohnRayPeterson
• Oct 4, 2012

not exactly three stars

• Mar 7, 2015

Mediocre but pleasant

• mformoviesandmore
• Sep 10, 2012

It is a comedy worth seeing

• Le-Petit-Antoine
• Aug 24, 2019

Get the DVD

• praisehim-425-577701
• Jul 17, 2012

a great comedy a great performance by jean reno

• Jan 7, 2013

Worst food movie ever

• funambuline
• Dec 26, 2016

An enjoyable comedy

• Jan 22, 2013
• ChristyLeskovar
• Jan 3, 2015

Ratatouile (tv)

• May 28, 2015

Light and fun quintessentially French comedy!

• Dec 5, 2014

I could be a good movie without that awful character

• Jul 26, 2022

Best movie I have seen since long time

• Dec 31, 2012

Not quite Cordon Bleu but good enough

• YohjiArmstrong
• Mar 8, 2015

One of the worst movies on the planet

• wondering-98574
• Jul 5, 2020

Subtle, spicy, rich and funny

• RodMartinJr
• Aug 20, 2019

Jean Reno in great form as the chef who won't compromise.

• Dec 23, 2014

Very amusing and well directed movie

• tom-zaidman
• May 11, 2013
• sam-019283472
• Jan 19, 2019

could be better if the casting job did right

• rightwingisevil
• May 22, 2013

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Where to Watch

Watch Chef with a subscription on Paramount+, rent on Fandango at Home, or buy on Fandango at Home.

What to Know

Chef 's charming cast and sharp, funny script add enough spice to make this feel-good comedy a flavorful -- if familiar -- treat.

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• Parents Say 17 Reviews
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Common Sense Media Review

Salty comedy about food and fatherhood is made with love.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Chef , starring Jon Favreau (who also wrote and directed the movie) is a fantastic comedy about food, family, and one man's flawed but abiding love for both. The main content issue is salty language ("f--k," "s--t," and more), with one character swearing in front of his young son and…

Why Age 15+?

Quite salty throughout, with both adults and kids swearing at or around each oth

Lots of name-dropping of websites, including Twitter (the process of how to twee

Adults are shown smoking (both cigarettes and weed) and drinking socially. A boy

Some references to sex acts between adults. A couple kisses, and the woman is la

A chef goes on an expletive-laden tirade against his restaurant's owner and, lat

Any Positive Content?

The core message is strongly positive: Be true to yourself and your work. While

Carl is a fighter, and even when he's been defeated (at work, mostly), he doesn'

Parents need to know that Chef , starring Jon Favreau (who also wrote and directed the movie) is a fantastic comedy about food, family, and one man's flawed but abiding love for both. The main content issue is salty language ("f--k," "s--t," and more), with one character swearing in front of his young son and an expletive-filled rant being caught on video and posted on YouTube/other websites. There are also some sexual references, kissing, and a woman shown waiting in bed for her lover (no nudity). Adults drink and smoke both marijuana and cigarettes. Technology plays a prominent role in the storyline, along with the attendant product placement. The movie's core message is clearly positive -- be true to yourself and your work -- but beware if you're on a diet: There are plenty of mouth-watering scenes set in the kitchen.

To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Quite salty throughout, with both adults and kids swearing at or around each other. Words include "f--k," "s--t," "damn," "piss," "a--hole," "p---y," and more.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Lots of name-dropping of websites, including Twitter (the process of how to tweet is explained, too), YouTube, and the like. A 10-year-old boy wields an iPhone like a pro, texting and making movies with it. Also: Don Juan tequila, Cafe Dumond, Ketel One, Eater.com, etc.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Adults are shown smoking (both cigarettes and weed) and drinking socially. A boy is allowed a sip of beer by his father.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Some references to sex acts between adults. A couple kisses, and the woman is later shown reclining in bed, waiting for her lover as he cooks for her. Adults make sexual jokes in front of a child.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

A chef goes on an expletive-laden tirade against his restaurant's owner and, later, a food critic.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

The core message is strongly positive: Be true to yourself and your work. While it's good to take others' opinions into account, you'll lose your voice if their opinion trumps yours. Also, family is important, especially in times of distress. And when you're down and out, that might just be the best time to try something courageous. You have nothing to lose.

Positive Role Models

Carl is a fighter, and even when he's been defeated (at work, mostly), he doesn't stay defeated for too long. In fact, he continues to be gracious to others, honest with himself about his shortcomings, and willing to learn how to be better. (No wonder his staff is devoted to him and his vision.) He also struggles mightily to do better as a dad, even if it requires sacrifices on his part.

Where to Watch

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Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents Say (17)
• Kids Say (26)

Based on 17 parent reviews

Great Messages about following you’re passion and family. It is a entrepreneurial story about a chef that starts his own food truck after being fired unfairly and it’s motivating for employees where they’re boss yell at them and then they’re like fuck this I’m going to do my own thing. The only thing to worry about is language hence it’s the main reason for The Film’s R Rating with 53 Uses of The F-Word but almost all of it comes from the first half of the movie because things clear up when a child comes into play also some sexual references/talk. There is some consumerism but it doesn’t have to do with the main plot.

What's the story.

Carl Casper ( Jon Favreau ) is an inspired, creative chef toiling at an uninspired Los Angeles restaurant. He's capable of so much more than the safe, predictable menu that he serves under the watchful gaze of the restaurant's owner ( Dustin Hoffman ). After a big-time food blogger ( Oliver Platt ), once a fan of Carl's, gives him the worst review of his life, Carl confronts his boss and quits. Now what? At the invitation of his ex-wife ( Sofia Vergara ), Carl accompanies her and their son to Miami, where Carl first fell in love with cooking and honed his fresh ideas about food. With no restaurant to cook for, Carl considers opening a food truck. But is that his best move?

Is It Any Good?

Favreau has starred in and directed blockbusters, but he got his start thinking smaller scale, with his breakout indie hit Swingers ; CHEF is most likely to please fans of that film. It's steeped in love -- not just for food, but for filmmaking. This is a movie clearly made with passion and gusto, just as cooking should be. Chef 's storyline, filled with references to social media and how it can make or break you, is of-the-moment, but it's ultimately threaded through with a timeless message about finding your bliss.

It's also a fresh take on fatherhood, post-divorce, without the usual treacle. Carl struggles mightily to parent well, even as he juggles the pressures of a career on the brink of destruction, a friendly but still bittersweet divorce, and a heaping dose of self-doubt. His yearning to find his footing as a dad is as authentically drawn as his drive to serve the kind of food he's always longed to cook: simple and good. If there's one complaint about Chef , it's that the ending can be spotted a few food trucks away. But that doesn't feel like a major disappointment -- just what's meant to be. John Leguizamo , Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson also co-star -- brilliantly.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Chef 's messages. Are any of the positive take-aways about being true to yourself and what you love undercut by the movie's more mature content? What audience do you think the movie is primarily aimed at?

What role does social media play in the story? Do you consider Carl's experiences a cautionary tale? What can teens take away from what he goes through?

Hollywood loves stories about comeback kids. Is Carl one? What's different about his journey?

Is Carl a good father? How would you characterize his relationship with his son? How does the film depict their dynamic?

Movie Details

• In theaters : May 9, 2014
• On DVD or streaming : September 30, 2014
• Cast : Jon Favreau , Robert Downey Jr. , Scarlett Johansson
• Director : Jon Favreau
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Open Road Films
• Genre : Comedy
• Topics : Cooking and Baking
• Run time : 115 minutes
• MPAA rating : R
• MPAA explanation : language, including some suggestive references
• Last updated : June 14, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Chef Reviews

• 68   Metascore
• 1 hr 54 mins
• Action & Adventure, Comedy, Drama
• Watchlist Where to Watch

Carl Casper is an acclaimed chef with a family life that seems as decaying as his artistic freedom. Those frustrations boil over into a raucous viral-videoed public confrontation against a restaurant critic who panned his cooking of food that his boss ordered him to make against his instincts. Now with his career ruined, Carl's ex-wife offers an unorthodox solution in Miami: refit an old food truck to offer quality cooking on his own terms. Now with his young son, Percy, and old colleague, Martin, helping, Carl takes a working trip across America with that truck to rediscover his gastronomic passion. With Percy's tech savvy and Martin's enthusiasm, Carl finds that he is creating a traveling sensation on the way home. In doing so, Carl discovers he is serving up more than simply food, but also a deeper connection with his life and his family that is truly delicious in its own way.