Hulu’s hit series “The Bear” has become a major triumph amongst viewers for its moving storyline about owning a restaurant. With its second season being released and most viewers having finished the new installment already, many are now wondering what to watch next. To help guide you, here are the five best chef movies that are available to stream right now:
1. “The Menu”
If you love cooking and watching thriller movies, this film is for you. The movie follows Michelin star chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes), who is no longer happy cooking for people who only eat his food simply because they can afford it rather than genuinely enjoying the cuisine. Julian’s lack of passion results in him setting up a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience for a particularly wealthy set of individuals. However, these A-list customers are unaware of the chef’s addition of unexpected ingredients to the menu, which throws them into a loop. Although “The Menu” takes a darker approach to cooking, its underlying message of elitism within the food industry gives the audience a new look at the business that will leave them truly moved.
“The Menu” is available to watch on Max.
2. “Burnt”
The world of any art form is often very stressful and leads to burnout. This film beautifully captures that experience with the story of Michelin star chef Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper). Adam was once a top chef in Paris until drugs and alcohol led to a meltdown that put his career on hold. After moving from New Orleans to London, Adam gets a shot at redemption when his former maître d’ (head waiter) reluctantly hires him as the head chef of his fine-dining restaurant. Demanding high expectations from his former staff, Adam gets a second chance to fulfill his dream of earning a third Michelin star. This movie perfectly showcases the life of a chef by highlighting the ups and downs that come with the job, such as the pressure of the kitchen and making each dish a masterpiece. Seeing this cutthroat business through the lens of Adam will make you appreciate the art of cooking so much more.
“Burnt” is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
3. “Ratatouille”
If you have not seen “Ratatouille” and are a big food fan, you will enjoy this film. This movie revolves around Remy (Patton Oswalt), who dreams of becoming a great chef, despite being a rat. After separating from his family, Remy discovers he has lived in Paris the entire time, leading him to a famous French restaurant. With the help of an unfortunate garbage boy, Linguini (Lou Romano), Remy tests his culinary skills by cooking at a renowned restaurant in hopes of pursuing his passion for cooking.
Although this film revolves around a rat, the movie’s creators did an exceptional job showcasing heart and dedication throughout the film in a unique way. It reminds viewers that anybody can do anything, no matter who they are or where they come from. As Gusteau says, “Anyone can cook.”
“Ratatouille” is available to watch on Disney+.
4. “Julie & Julia”
Based on the true stories of food writer Julie Powell and American cook Julia Child, this film follows Julie (Amy Adams), who is frustrated with working at a soul-crushing job. She turns to food blogging to once again spark excitement in her life. Embarking on her new journey, she vows to prepare all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” The tale of how Julia Child (Meryl Streep) conquered French cuisine is intertwined with Julie’s story. This film does a remarkable job highlighting the love and passion for cooking between these two women. Even though the odds were against these characters, their motivation and perseverance led them to achieve their goals of becoming excellent chefs and food writers.
“Julie and Julia” is available to stream on Netflix.
5. “The Princess and the Frog”
At first glance, “The Princess and the Frog” may not seem like a food film considering that the plot revolves around the main character kissing a frog and turning into one herself. But food is the very heart of this movie.
From the very beginning, Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) is seen cooking a pot of gumbo with her father. The love of cooking between the two leads Tiana to dream of opening the finest restaurant in New Orleans. Though her dream takes an unexpected detour once she meets Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), Tiana still finds a way to cook even when she is a frog. From Tiana teaching Naveen how to cook in the bayou to helping Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis) perfect her gumbo recipe, you can see how much joy cooking brings Tiana.
“The Princess and the Frog” is available to watch on Disney+.