Chef 2014

In the bustling city of Los Angeles, Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) holds court as the executive chef of Gauloise in Brentwood. While his kitchen staff and hostess Molly (Scarlett Johansson) adore him, tensions simmer beneath the surface with restaurant owner Riva (Dustin Hoffman), who yearns for a return to tried-and-true culinary classics rather than Carl’s innovative creations. Meanwhile, Carl struggles to connect with his tech-savvy preteen son Percy (Emjay Anthony) and ex-wife Inez (Sofía Vergara), leading to a strained family dynamic.

When the opportunity arises to cater to Ramsey Michel (Oliver Platt), a renowned food critic and internet influencer, Riva insists that Carl revert to old favorites, dismissing his pleas for creative freedom. Carl reluctantly complies, only to receive a scathing review from Ramsey, who lambasts the chef’s culinary skills and personal appearance. The devastating critique sends Carl into overdrive, as he pours his heart and soul into crafting a new menu that resonates with his kitchen staff.

As Carl’s staff members urge him not to worry about the online backlash, Percy surprises him by signing him up for Twitter, an unfamiliar realm where digital discourse knows no bounds. Carl soon discovers that Ramsey’s review has gone viral, garnering widespread attention and fueling his own online following. Emboldened by his newfound virtual presence, Carl fires back at Ramsey with a series of biting tweets, inadvertently sparking a high-stakes culinary showdown.

As the digital drama unfolds, Carl faces off against Riva once more, refusing to apologize or revert to the old menu. With his reputation on the line and his passion for cooking burning brighter than ever, Carl must confront the harsh realities of the culinary world and find a way to reconcile his artistic vision with the demands of the restaurant’s owner.

As Carl’s culinary reputation lies in tatters, Tony (Bobby Cannavale), his loyal sous-chef, remains steadfastly by his side, serving up dishes that had previously impressed Ramsey at the restaurant. However, Ramsey’s scathing tweets, labeling Carl a “no-show,” send shockwaves through social media, leaving Carl’s ego in shambles and his professional prospects in jeopardy. The fallout is nothing short of catastrophic, as viral videos of Carl’s public meltdown spread far and wide.

Inez’s astute PR rep, Jen (Amy Sedaris), recognizes the potential for a silver lining, hinting that Carl might just have a shot at Hell’s Kitchen after his “stunt.” Meanwhile, Carl’s social media presence soars, with 20,000 Twitter followers now hanging on his every word.

Molly, ever the voice of reason, urges Carl to resist the temptation of a new job and instead follow his own culinary passion. She also proposes a trip that will allow Carl to reconnect with his son Percy and rediscover the joy of cooking. Reluctantly, Carl agrees to join Inez and Percy on a journey to Miami, where he rekindles his love affair with Cuban cuisine.

Inez’s ex-husband, Marvin (Robert Downey Jr.), offers Carl a dilapidated food truck as a means of reviving his culinary dreams. The project proves to be an arduous but rewarding endeavor, as Carl and Percy bond over the restoration process, from scrubbing down rusty surfaces to carefully selecting fresh ingredients.

As Martin (John Leguizamo), Carl’s old friend and former line cook, joins forces with him, a small army of Cubans from Marvin’s equipment rental company agrees to lend a hand in exchange for a culinary masterpiece. Before long, the truck is transformed into a gleaming, fully equipped culinary vessel, which Carl dubs “El Jeffe.”

In a poignant moment of mentorship, Carl teaches Percy the importance of taking pride in one’s work and avoiding shortcuts. When Percy attempts to serve a burnt sandwich to the workers, who are enjoying their free meal, Carl gently corrects him, emphasizing that even the smallest details matter in the kitchen. As Martin secures a fresh paint job from his cousin, the stage is set for Carl’s next culinary adventure.

As the trio of entrepreneurs - Carl, Martin, and Percy (Percy) - embark on an epic journey across the country, their culinary venture takes shape. From behind the wheel, they navigate the open road, serving up a mouth-watering medley of Cuban sandwiches and crispy Yuca fries to tantalize the taste buds of passersby. Meanwhile, Percy leverages his social media prowess, meticulously crafting 6-second vignettes, daily snippets, and live updates to promote their nomadic eatery. This grassroots marketing strategy yields impressive results in New Orleans and Austin, where they cleverly incorporate local flavors into their menu, whipping up Po’ boys and succulent barbecued brisket that leaves patrons craving more.

Back in Los Angeles, as the miles fly by, Carl confronts the bittersweet reality of their nomadic lifestyle. He sits Percy down for a heart-to-heart, acknowledging the inevitable - that Percy will eventually need to return to his studies, and their carefree adventures will come to an end. However, Carl is more than happy to have his son join him in the food truck business, as they continue to perfect their craft.

Just when it seems like the stars are aligning for this dynamic duo, a familiar face drops by - Ramsey, a respected critic who initially fell in love with Carl’s cooking. However, his latest review left a sour taste, as he felt that Carl had compromised on quality. But impressed by the chef’s renewed dedication to his art, Ramsey offers Carl a chance to shine in a new setting - a restaurant where he’ll have complete creative control.

Fast-forward six months, and the new eatery has become a hotspot for culinary enthusiasts. The atmosphere is electric as Carl and Inez (Inez) prepare to rekindle their love in a private ceremony, surrounded by friends, family, and the sounds of sizzling pans and satisfied chatter. It’s a testament to the power of food, love, and perseverance that brings this trio full circle, as they celebrate the union of two souls who’ve found their way back to each other.