‘Chef’ is delectable

Review

“Chef”

Grade: B

Starring: Jon Favreau, Dustin Hoffman, Oliver Platt, Sofia Vergara, Robert Downey Jr., John Leguizamo

Rated: R for language, including some suggestive references

Length: 1:55

By JESSICA HERNDON

AP Film Writer

From the mouth-watering carne asada to the molten chocolate cake, Jon Favreau’s “Chef” is a delectable take on an out-of-work cook who experiences career rejuvenation when traveling cross-country serving Cuban entrees on a food truck.

Marking Favreau’s return to indie filmmaking — he emerged in 1996 with heartbreak cult-classic “Swingers” — “Chef” is a refreshing passion project affording the writer-director the chance to scale down and get personal after directing the first two “Iron Man” blockbusters and 2011’s “Cowboys & Aliens.”

When master chef Carl Casper (Favreau) is fired by the owner (Dustin Hoffman) of a popular Los Angeles restaurant for requesting to stir up the fixed menu for a disapproving food critic (Oliver Platt), he finds himself at a crossroads. After a video capturing Carl lashing out at the critic goes viral, it becomes nearly impossible for the 40-something to get a new gig.

Down on his luck, Carl agrees to head to Miami with his wealthy ex-wife, Inez (Sofia Vergara), and their 11-year-old son, Percy (Emjay Anthony), with whom Carl has been distant.

In Miami, he meets with Inez’s rich ex-husband, Marvin, played by Robert Downey Jr. in a hilariously shameless standout performance. Marvin takes pity on Carl and offers him a food truck. Longtime pal and grill chef Martin (John Leguizamo) joins Carl in Miami to help cook meals from their childhood as they embark on a cross-country trip — with Percy in tow — back to LA.

With the Cuban sandwich as their signature dish, they stop in places such as New Orleans and Austin, Texas, adding their own flair to local dishes.

Foodies will enjoy the spotlight on well-known haunts, such as Franklin Barbeque in Austin. And music lovers will appreciate the cameo by blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr., who performs at the BBQ joint.

Baffled when the line outside of their food truck continues to grow at each stop, Carl discovers Percy has taken to Twitter, Vine and Facebook — social media tools foreign to his dad — to broadcast their whereabouts.

It’s a key element of their bonding, as Percy captures endearing moments such as Carl handing him his first beignet.

“Chef” wraps up predictably, though cutely, as Favreau aims to make us believe we can successfully marry our passion with our profession.