Movies about food and chefs are rather popular and I am particularly fond of them since I adore cooking (and I make an amazing soufflé, by the way). So, it's not the least bit surprising that I'd watch the film "Chef". However, what is surprising is that I didn't particularly like the film and it's one of the first foodie films I really haven't enjoyed. So, while I adore "Babette's Feast", "The Big Night" and "Mostly Martha", I really wasn't captivated by "Chef"--though I sure wanted to be. With such a great cast of supporting actors, I sure expected to love it.

So why didn't I like this film? Much of it is because the movie's main focus is NOT on the food but the main character (Jon Favreau). And, his character is a real jerk-face. Again and again, he makes dumb decisions and often treats people badly and is completely self- absorbed--yet we are expected to pull for him and his success. His abusive language, way he repeatedly mistreated his really nice son and childishness made me irritated with him and I lost any desire to connect with him or pull for his desire to rebuild his career (a career, by the way, which he clearly threw away). All in all, I don't fit in with most of the other reviewers, as I know there are just so many better foodie films--- and you could do a lot better.

Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) was once an edgy Miami chef. He's divorced from Inez (Sofía Vergara) and trying to connect with his son Percy. When important food reviewer Ramsey Michel (Oliver Platt) comes, he acquiesces to restaurant owner Riva (Dustin Hoffman) and serves a safe uninspired menu. Molly (Scarlett Johansson) is the hostess. The reviewer pans it and it becomes a full on twitter war as Carl gets Ramsey to come taste his new menu. However Riva insists on the old menu and Carl gets let go. Tony (Bobby Cannavale) takes over the kitchen. Ramsey pans the food once again and Carl bust in going nuclear. The incident goes viral. Inez gets him to her ex-husband Marvin (Robert Downey Jr.) who sells him a rundown old food truck in Miami. Martin (John Leguizamo) quits his job to join him. Carl goes on a road trip in the food truck from Miami back to California with Martin and Percy.

Jon Favreau needs a little time to warm up. The movie starts off functionally. Then RDJ shows up and injects some much needed hilarity. Sometimes I like the kid but other times I'm not so sure. He's not the easy supercute type. That's also how I feel about Favreau. The plot is a bit too easy and doesn't really have any tension. It's a light story with some food porn and a bit of cross country charm. This is more like a light appetizer but there's nothing wrong with that.

Jon Favreau writes, directs and stars in Chef. I think he also had a hand in selecting the soundtrack as you get a few original versions of songs made famous by being re recorded by other artists such as the bassline used later by Melle Mel for White Lines.

Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) loses his cool on the internet, a medium he has no clue about when he gets a dismissive review from a food critic. Carl wants to make cutting edge food but bows down to commercial considerations from the restaurant owner (Dustin Hoffman.)

Out of work, divorced and middle aged. Carl and his son refurbish an old food truck in Miami and with his former assistant chef Martin (John Leguizamo) they drive the food truck to California wowing customers along the way with some authentic Cuban food.

The story takes a while to get going, like many other 'chef' films, Carl is self absorbed, he can be mean to his staff and has little time for his son when it is his turn to look after his son. Carl his lucky that his ex-wife (Sofía Vergara) actually likes him and appreciates his culinary talents.

The film picks up a pace once Robert Downey jr shows up for a cameo and Carl gets hold of the food truck and begins his cross country jaunt.

Chef is an easy cooking film, it does not have much plot or tension. The music is nice but it feels like an easy starter than a main course.