Chef

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2:45

Chef

R

Released May 9, 2014

1h 55m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

188 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

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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

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Kate Muir

The 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

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Like the lead character he wrote for himself, "Chef" is a chance for Favreau to get back to the character-driven chatter-filled roots that made him great in the first place.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 17, 2025

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

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Scott M

Chef quits his job and buys a food truck. Okay stuff. But the entire relationship with his son felt fake to me. Good kid actors are difficult to find.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

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Matteo G

The cast is completely wasted, the plot not existing, the situations impossible and unreal. The message is that there is no culture of food over there

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

Full Review

Ali B

Didn’t really make me laugh, but did make me feel good. It gets better in the second half.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Tanush w

At first i was waiting for some turn of events or some major plot twist but as the movie progressed i realised that dramatic scnes and something super emotional wasn't a part of the theme of this movie but still it was very enjoyable in its own way. To be honest this movie had a more chill and fun vibe overall but still it managed to show how the Carl found happiness again after getting fired from his job by opening a food truck with one of his former colleague where he had full control over the menu and serve people truly delicious food which he enjoyed making. He also reconnected with his ex-wife and their son.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Benjamin H

Incredibly heartwarming, funny and wholesome, Chef has one female character that didn't fully interest me and there are a few scenes that could have been constructed a tad better, but overall this is a vibrant and well paced comedy drama with glorious performances and a bangin soundtrack.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

Levon H

Favreau is clearly a food buff and knows his stuff, creating in Carl a character that is believable both as a successful chef and a less successful family man.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

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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