Pratik Handore
‘The Bear’ is a dark comedy series created by Christopher Storer that follows Carmen’ Carmy’ Berzatto, a young fine-dining chef forced to return home to Chicago and look after his family’s sandwich shop after his brother’s tragic death. Coping with the shock of his brother’s death and the struggles of running a small business, Carmy finds himself at his wit’s end. Nonetheless, with the help of his talented but reckless staff, Carmy strives to turn things around in the restaurant and life.
The engaging half-hour comedy has a bittersweet portrayal of life through the lens of a professional chef. Given the show’s authentic depiction of the professional restaurant business world and the characters’ emotional conflicts, we are sure viewers must be wondering whether the series is inspired by real events or true stories. If you are looking for answers about the inspiration behind ‘The Bear, here is everything you need to know!
Is The Bear Based on a True Story?
No, ‘The Bear’ is not based on a true story. The series is based on an original concept by creator Christopher Storer. The premise of a young chef returning to run his family restaurant is rooted in reality through the show’s authentic portrayal of cooking and the challenges that chefs face. It also highlights the struggles of running a small-scale business in the world of modern capitalism.
To craft a compelling dramedy set in a restaurant kitchen, the show’s makers consultant with several real-life professional chefs, including celebrity chef Matty Matheson who serves as an executive producer. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, co-showrunner Joanna Calo (‘Hacks‘) opened up about creating an authentic representation of the restaurant and cooking world.
Calo stated that several professional chefs shared their personal experiences with the show’s writers. “The stories are insane, not only about what people are willing to put themselves through but just the work ethic and the ways in which that ethic can both soothe and sort of help you evade any emotional processing, which kind of was perfect for our show,” Calo said.
Moreover, the narrative appeals to the audience on an emotional level as it deals with the theme of family. Carmy attempts to reconnect with his estranged family while also forming a solid bond with his staff throughout the first season. The struggles, fears, and frustrations of the characters resonate with the viewers because of their human nature.
The series is an ode to the lives of chefs and restaurant workers who make several sacrifices because of the nature of their job. Thus, it appeals to viewers who love food, food shows, and emotionally charged narratives because of its authentic portrayal of the restaurant business world.
Is Carmy Berzatto a Real Chef?
Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto is the main character of ‘The Bear.’ He is a young and talented chef who is used to working in some of the finest restaurants in the country. However, after the tragic death of his brother, Carmy returns home and looks after their family restaurant. The character is a completely fictional creation and not directly based on any real chef. The character’s mannerisms and anxieties represent the struggles of Carmy’s profession.
Actor Jeremy Allen White (‘Shameless‘) essays the role of Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto in the series. To ensure that his portrayal of a professional chef was up to the mark, the actor undertook extensive training to hone his kitchen skills. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Allen White revealed that he spent two weeks in a cooking school and worked at several restaurants in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, in preparation for his role.
The actor fine-tuned his skills at Pasjoli, a Michelin star-rated restaurant in Santa Monica, California. At Pasjoli, Allen White worked with Michelin Star Chef Dave Beran. “It was really amazing — I’d never studied a skill that much for any other job, and it was really great to have months of training to learn about (the) character and learn about Carmy through a skill that he’d also studied,” Allen White said about his foray into cooking.
Ultimately, ‘The Bear’ is a fictional series with fictional characters that tells a heartfelt story about the day-to-day struggles of people who work in the restaurant business. However, their hardships and emotional conflicts are rooted in reality. Moreover, actor Jeremy Allen White’s efforts to learn and hone kitchen skills are a testament to the show’s dedication to creating an authentic experience for the viewers.
Read More: Best Comedy Shows on Netflix
