Super Frat

Chef, starring and directed by Jon Favereau, is a pretty entertaining foodie film featuring a whole lot of moviestars.  Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr., John Leguizamo and Sofia Vergara all have supporting roles, but foodies will probably be more interested in an appearance by Aaron Franklin of the now legendary, Franklin Barbecue and Roy Choi, who is the chef consultant.

Favereau plays Carl, a once hot chef who is stuck in a rut, thanks to his restaurant owner’s insistence on sticking to the same menu.  After a bad review from a food critic sends him over the edge, Carl has to reinvent himself courtesy of the food truck craze.  Along the way, he reconnects with his son, to whom he became distant after his divorce.

Favereau has a nice balance of realistic dialogue and situations, never quite veering into all-out comedy.  The movie is like an light and airy pastry you had before.  You know how it tastes, but it’s good to order anyway.  It’s a nice family film with some decent laughs and a lot of food.  I liked it mostly because I like food, but don’t go see this hungry.  The movie is probably not going to blow you away, but if you’re looking for a nice, upbeat piece of entertainment, you could do a lot worse.

I give Chef 7 out of 10 keggers.