Chef

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2:45

Chef

R

Released May 9, 2014

1h 55m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

187 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After a controlling owner (Dustin Hoffman) pushes him too far, chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) quits his position at a prestigious Los Angeles restaurant. As he tries to figure out what his next step should be, he finds himself in Miami. Carl joins forces with his ex-wife (Sofía Vergara), best friend (John Leguizamo) and son (Emjay Anthony) to launch a food-truck business, and the venture provides a chance to reignite his passion for cooking -- as well as his zest for life and love.

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Critics Consensus

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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Liz Braun

Toronto Sun

It's such a treat to see such an endearing slice o' life in the middle of this blockbuster season. There's not a single comic book character in sight.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 5, 2015

Full Review

Laurence Phelan

Independent (UK)

The result is a small, unashamedly feel-good film that makes up for what it lacks in dramatic jeopardy with gentle comedy, heartwarming family scenes, ladles of food porn, and time spent among characters you like.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 7, 2014

Full Review

Kate Muir

Times (UK)

Chef is a foodie-gasm of a film, directed by and starring Jon Favreau as a designer cook past his sell-by date, who goes on a road trip from Miami to Los Angeles to find his soul -- and soul food.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 7, 2014

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Coming on the heels of Iron Man 2, filmmaker Jon Favreau delivers his most personal film yet as a chef responds to a food critic by going back to his roots in 2014's Chef.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 31, 2024

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

A lightweight, but enjoyable film; an amuse bouche that may leave you hungry for something more substantial but still manages to satisfy.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 1, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

When every conflict is quashed within minutes and the predicaments barely register concern, the power to affect audiences dwindles.

Rated: 4/10

Dec 4, 2020

Full Review

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Alexander S

Chef delivers its flavors and spices with a dynamic between Jon Favreau and his cast. As a passionate cook, I was inspired by the film. The energy of the film is full of delight, the dynamic and charisma of the actors’ performances, and the overall enjoyment of the movie all come together to create a perfectly satisfying culinary experience. Grading: A-

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

HMF B

I really don't understand why the critic's rating is what it is. I usually endure movies to the end because I want the experience bad or good. And I love Jon Favreau. But with this movie, I started it twice and did not finish it. I was so bored. Sorry but not a recommend from me.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/11/25

Full Review

Leaburn O

Starts well, ends far too soppily. At some point the cooking and the film goes from haute cuisine to a bunch of melts. By the end you’ve eaten far too much junk food for it to taste palatable. Weird that Scarlett agreed to such a small walk on role, maybe a favour to someone. Vergara is annoying and a terrible actress. Quite how the fat dad bod + guy attracts two stunning looking women though. Has somehow become something of a cult favourite, often described as underrated but that view has become so prevalent that I can only now consider it as vastly overrated. Good soundtrack but gets worse as the film progresses. Almost feels like first and second half of film are directed by different people. The constant ad placements and twitter obsession grates too. Watched on Netflix.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/08/25

Full Review

Oaklee D

A charming comedy that was an absolute joy to sit through, it had me smiling from beginning to end. Definitely worth a watch. Went in with no expectations and was blown away, loved it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I just love this film, so much fun and good music and a man trying to do the right thing by his son..and well casted ✨👍❤️

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/25

Full Review

Pongo K

So so so so sweeeeet! A father / son comedy drama where the whole family comes together again at the end. Whaaaat a surprise... A twitter and cuban food advertisement. See it if you really want to.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

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Jon Favreau

Director

Jon Favreau

Carl Casper

Sofía Vergara

Inez

John Leguizamo

Martin

Scarlett Johansson

Molly

Dustin Hoffman

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Chef: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After a controlling owner (Dustin Hoffman) pushes him too far, chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) quits his position at a prestigious Los Angeles restaurant. As he tries to figure out what his next step should be, he finds himself in Miami. Carl joins forces with his ex-wife (Sofía Vergara), best friend (John Leguizamo) and son (Emjay Anthony) to launch a food-truck business, and the venture provides a chance to reignite his passion for cooking -- as well as his zest for life and love.

Director: Jon Favreau
Producer: Sergei Bespalov, Jon Favreau
Screenwriter: Jon Favreau
Distributor: Open Road
Production Co: Aldamisa Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Suggestive References|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.2M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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