In its first season, “The Bear” generated all kinds of sweaty, shouty drama inside a Chicago Italian beef sandwich shop. One of the kitchen’s key figures is longtime veteran Tina, played by Liza Colón-Zayas, who is initially skeptical of change. But by Season 2, which premiered last month, we see her raising her game and blossoming into a legitimate sous chef, which surprises even her.
Colón-Zayas says she loves to cook in real life. “I’m not anywhere near the skill of the characters on the show, but in my family, that’s how we show love: Cooking our Puerto Rican dishes for each other. And I do love watching cooking shows.”
Her credits include the recent reboot of “In Treatment” and “David Makes Man,” as well as appearances on “Law & Order: SVU,” “Blue Bloods” and many other shows.
