Chef Jamie Oliver questions The Bear’s authenticity

Last Updated on December 29, 2023

While The Bear has made “Yes, chef!” one of current TV’s best catchphrases, one prominent chef is saying, “No!” As it turns out, world-renowned chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver has had trouble finishing the Emmy-nominated show because of the actors’ techniques.

Appearing on The Graham Norton Show (via The Independent), Jamie Oliver said he tried watching The Bear – about a chef taking over the family sandwich shop in Chicago – but gave up once he saw how poorly its stars, presumably including Jeremy Allen White, use a knife. “I’ve got to get back into The Bear because I watched the first two [episodes] – and I know it’s brilliant, everyone keeps telling me how brilliant it is – but I watched the first two and I’m like, ‘He can’t chop.’..They just jump cut it and cut around it.” But it’s not just chopping parsley that gets Oliver all worked up. “And they often get extras in the background that are actors, not chefs, even though they’ve got no lines. But they’re just touching it all wrong and sort of bashing it all wrong… Yeah, it does wind me up.”

While that might seem like a silly reason to give up on a show, certainly Jamie Oliver can’t help but notice every aspect within the kitchen. While many have praised The Bear for its authenticity, there are still plenty of people within the hospitality industry that have taken umbrage with a number of inaccurate elements. But all of this can also feel like a bit of a buzzkill, like when Neil deGrasse Tyson slams a sci-fi movie over technical aspects. As we’ve said before, yes, you should be watching and enjoying The Bear, even if you are a celebrity chef.

The Bear is nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor (White), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Outstanding Supporting Actress (Ayo Edebiri), Directing (for “Review”), and Writing (for “System”). It is also nominated for five Golden Globes: Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) and four in the acting categories.

What do you think of Jamie Oliver’s criticisms of The Bear? Do you think he is taking it too seriously?