Casper is a Miami-born chef – deeply passionate about his craft, and constantly seeking to immerse himself in the pursuit of culinary perfection. Clashes with his boss (Hoffman), over the extent to which he should experiment with the menu, see Casper fired from his job leading the kitchen of a prominent Los Angeles restaurant. He’s sent back to Miami in defeat and there, he rallies, purchasing and refurbishing a food truck which he names El Jefe Cubanos. So begins his quest to drive his food truck across the US and back to his rightful place as a successful chef in Los Angeles.
In this new film, Favreau has used the concept of food as a metaphor for any passion, held by anyone – which is what makes the film so accessible to audiences. The idea of reaching a plateau in one’s career, railing against restrictions and returning to the root of that love – going ‘back to the well,’ if you will – is something that anyone of working age can relate to, either in experience, or wishful thinking. Who hasn’t wanted to de-clutter and return to a simpler age – cutting out the noise and the politics and the ‘middle man,’ to get back to what is important?
It’s a common fantasy, and it is one that is well-presented in Chef – which is currently on limited release in the US and is heading to the UK on June 25. But while Favreau’s latest is a fine example of food in film, there are many, many others that use all kinds of gastro-artistry to tell their tales. Animation and live-action, comedy and drama, commercially successful and little-seen – here are five mouth-watering films for foodies, which prove to be the perfect appetisers for Chef.