Jon Favreau makes a triumphant return to his independent roots with Chef, an infectiously charming comedy about rediscovering oneself through life, love and food. After quitting a high-profile restaurant role, Carl Casper (Favreau, who also writes and directs) decides to start up a food truck in order to return to a simpler way of life, which also includes reconnecting with his son (Emjay Anthony). Bathed in a low-key, naturalistic visual style, Chef brims with irresistible warmth and Favreau delivers a winning turn as Carl, ably supported by the performances of Sofia Vergara, Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson. The narrative has a familiar feel to it, but there’s plenty of emotion within the father-son dynamic, and a neat commentary about the power of social media will score some laughs. Though it may feel slight at times, Chef is an engaging, entertaining and lively heart-warmer that captures the audience’s attention from the start – and tickles their tastebuds, too.
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