‘I wanna cook for people and make them happy and give them the best bacon on Earth.” Wise words from Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), one of the chefs whose passion makes The Bear such a delight to watch. I’m struggling to relate, though. After setting out to make some of the show’s iconic dishes, I’ve lost all hope of making anyone happy with my cooking. I just want to do a passable job without destroying my kitchen.
For those who haven’t seen The Bear, it follows the lauded prodigy Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), an award-winning chef who returns to Chicago to take ownership of his late brother’s ailing sandwich shop. The FX on Hulu show was a surprise hit last year, each episode an elegantly constructed panic attack portraying the mania of Carmy’s kitchen, as he wrestles with trauma, talent and dysfunction. Both seasons come with an exceptional ensemble cast, a banging soundtrack and food that’s always on point.
