'The Bear' is the breakout new drama series about food, family and the insanity of everyday life. Falstaff met lead actor Jeremy Allen White for an interview.
Fancy getting up close and personal in a professional kitchen without leaving your sofa? While there might be a plethora of reality TV cooking shows to stream, great foodie drama series are harder to unearth. But now a new Disney+ series, The Bear, has dropped in the UK and if the rave reviews from the US are anything to go by, it's just the ticket for your next binge-watching marathon.
Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto played by Jeremy Allen White, a top fine dining chef, returns to Chicago after his brother's death to run the family's sandwich shop, The Original Beef of Chicagoland. As Carmy struggles to transform the restaurant and himself, the series gives a glimpse of day-to-day life in a professional kitchen – with all that entails. Falstaff met lead actor Jeremy White, best known for his role in Shameless, for an interview.
Falstaff: What attracted you to the role of Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto?
Jeremy White: With the role of Carmy, I was really interested in the culinary world and wanted to learn more about it. It was exciting to access a character by learning culinary skills. When I heard Carmy's story, it really broke my heart because he seemed very lost and very lonely. When I read the script, I loved him immediately.
How would you describe your learning curve as a chef, which you needed to do for the film?
The prep work I did was quite extensive. Before that, I was pretty useless in the kitchen. Now I'm quite good, but that's because I went to a cooking school in Pasadena and worked in a few local restaurants.
What surprised you most from your research into the culinary world?
I have a limited understanding of this business, but I know that it is a difficult business and it is very hard to be successful. What I really took away from spending time with these chefs and cooks in their kitchens is the amount of sacrifice and time they all put into their work. I was shocked at how much time and effort the chefs and cooks put into their work. It's like being an athlete. I knew that people in this world work long hours, but I was really shocked at the commitment and the fact that they often neglect their personal lives. My respect and appreciation have always been there, but working on this series has made it even greater.
How good are your skills as a cook now after filming?
I'm all right. I'm good at faking it. I cook more than I used to, but I'll keep trying to get better.
The Bear is a series about food and family. What food do you remember from your childhood?
My parents are lovely, but they are not good in the kitchen. For me, the ultimate comfort was grilled cheese and tinned tomato soup. When I was sick, that was always a very comforting meal.
Did you fall in love with new food or dishes during filming?
I was useless in the kitchen before – and I still am. But now that I have learned something, I love to cook. I love cooking for my wife and children. I now see cooking as another form of communication or caring. That's what I love about it.
The Bear is available on Disney+ in the UK.
