Films About Chefs
Films about chefs delve into the culinary world, exploring the passion, creativity, and often intense pressures of professional cooking. These films can range from light-hearted comedies to intense dramas, showcasing the art of food preparation, the dynamics of kitchen life, and the personal lives of chefs. They often highlight themes such as ambition, innovation, tradition, and the pursuit of perfection, making them compelling for both food enthusiasts and general audiences alike.
List of Films About Chefs
“Chef”, 2014
Director: Jon Favreau
Directed by Jon Favreau, this film follows a professional chef who, after a public altercation with a food critic, starts a food truck business to reclaim his creative promise and reconnect with his family.
Starring: Jon Favreau, Sofía Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman, Emjay Anthony, Amy Sedaris, Robert Downey Jr.;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: comedy, drama, family;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“Ratatouille”, 2007
Director: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
An animated film by Pixar, it tells the story of Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a great chef and teams up with a young kitchen worker to achieve his culinary aspirations in a Parisian restaurant.
Starring: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn, Peter O'Toole, Brad Garrett, Janeane Garofalo, Will Arnett, Julius Callahan;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: animation, adventure, comedy, family, fantasy, drama;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Ratatouille” on the website imdb.com
“Burnt”, 2015
Director: John Wells
Starring Bradley Cooper, this film follows a talented but troubled chef as he attempts to rebuild his career and earn a coveted third Michelin star after his past mistakes.
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Omar Sy, Daniel Brühl, Riccardo Scamarcio, Uma Thurman, Emma Thompson, Sam Keeley, Henry Goodman, Matthew Rhys;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
“The Hundred-Foot Journey”, 2014
Director: Lasse Hallström
This film, directed by Lasse Hallström, tells the story of an Indian family that opens a restaurant in a French village, directly across the street from a Michelin-starred French restaurant, leading to a culinary culture clash.
Starring: Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon, Amit Shah, Farzana Dua Elahe, Dillon Mitra, Aria Pandya, Michel Blanc, Clément Sibony;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Hundred-Foot Journey” on the website imdb.com
“No Reservations”, 2007
Director: Scott Hicks
Starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart, this romantic comedy revolves around a master chef whose life changes when she becomes the guardian of her young niece and starts working with an unorthodox sous-chef.
Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin, Patricia Clarkson, Jenny Wade, Bob Balaban, Brian F. O'Byrne, Lily Rabe, Eric Silver, Arija Bareikis;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “No Reservations” on the website imdb.com
“Jiro Dreams of Sushi”, 2011
Director: David Gelb
This documentary focuses on Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master, and his renowned Tokyo restaurant, offering an intimate look at his dedication to the craft and his pursuit of culinary perfection.
Starring: Jiro Ono, Yoshikazu Ono, Masuhiro Yamamoto, Daisuke Nakazama, Hachiro Mizutani, Harutaki Takahashi, Hiroki Fujita, Tsunenori Ida, Toichiro Iida, Akihiro Oyama;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: documentary;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 81 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” on the website imdb.com
“Big Night”, 1996
Director: Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci
Directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci, this film centers on two Italian immigrant brothers who try to save their failing restaurant by planning an extravagant feast featuring a special guest.
Starring: Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Allison Janney, Marc Anthony, Caroline Aaron, Campbell Scott, Susan Floyd;
Production year: 1996;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Big Night” on the website imdb.com
“Spinning Plates”, 2012
Director: Joseph Levy
This documentary profiles three restaurants and their respective owners, highlighting their unique challenges, culinary philosophies, and the profound impact food can have on people's lives.
Starring: Grant Achatz, Cindy Breitbach, Mike Breitbach, Thomas Keller, Francisco Martinez, Gabby Martinez, Christian Seel;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: documentary;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Spinning Plates” on the website imdb.com
“The Chef”, 2019
Director: Hao Zheng
A French comedy directed by Daniel Cohen, this film follows a struggling chef who teams up with a culinary master to save the latter's restaurant from losing its Michelin stars.
Starring: Jim Lau, Quinn Von Hoene, Allen Theosky Rowe, Raymond Ma, Jizhong Zhang, Todd Lien, Michelle Sun, Alberto Henriquez, Dominic Lee, Walker Liu;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: short film, science fiction, drama, comedy;
Duration: 20 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Chef” on the website imdb.com
Films about chefs offer a tantalizing blend of culinary artistry and human drama, capturing the intense, high-stakes environment of professional kitchens while exploring the personal and emotional journeys of their protagonists. From the fiery passion and creativity that fuel their dishes to the intricate relationships and challenges faced behind the scenes, these films provide a rich tapestry of storytelling that appeals to both food enthusiasts and cinema lovers alike. Ultimately, they celebrate the transformative power of food, not just as sustenance but as an expression of culture, identity, and personal triumph. Through these cinematic experiences, viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication and heart that go into creating culinary masterpieces, making films about chefs a uniquely satisfying genre.
