Chef (2014): Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Transforming a Classic Comfort Food: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich Scene in Chef (2014)
Chef is a heartwarming film that tells the story of Carl Casper, a talented chef who quits his job at a prestigious restaurant to start his own food truck business. Along the way, he rekindles his love for cooking and reconnects with his family. One of the standout dishes featured in the film is the grilled cheese sandwich, which Carl prepares for his son in a pivotal scene.
The grilled cheese sandwich may seem like a simple dish, but in the hands of a skilled chef, it can be transformed into a work of art. In the film, we see Carl carefully selecting the ingredients for his sandwich, including artisanal bread, aged cheddar cheese, and homemade garlic butter. He then grills the sandwich to perfection, resulting in a crispy, gooey, and utterly delicious creation.
What makes the grilled cheese sandwich scene in “Chef” so special is the care and attention that Carl puts into every step of the process. He treats the humble sandwich with the same level of respect and care that he would give to any other dish, showing that even the most basic food can be elevated to a gourmet level with the right approach.
The grilled cheese sandwich is also a symbol of Carl’s journey as a chef. In the beginning of the film, he is stuck in a rut, relying on familiar dishes and failing to take risks. But as he begins to rediscover his passion for cooking, he starts to experiment with new flavors and techniques, leading him to create the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
In conclusion, the grilled cheese sandwich scene in “Chef” is a celebration of the art of cooking and the importance of taking pride in every dish, no matter how simple. By paying attention to the details and treating each ingredient with respect, even the most basic dish can become a culinary masterpiece. So why not try making a grilled cheese sandwich at home and see how a little bit of care and attention can transform this classic comfort food into something truly extraordinary?
How to make the best Grilled Cheese Sandwich even
Course: StarterDifficulty: *I love the scene where Jon Favreau’s character Carl Caspar is making a grilled cheese sandwich to share with his son Percy. First, he sprinkles olive oil on a countertop griddle. I believe the setting to be about medium to medium-high because any higher and the bread will toast too quickly. Then he butters two slices of farmer’s bread. He places the two slices buttered side down on the griddle with the oil. He fries the bread on one side only, moving the slices around on the griddle, smearing butter and oil into an aromatic sauce that sizzles.
Then Favreau tops the un-fried bread sides with thin slices of cheese–looks like a fair amount of Cheddar and Gruyere topped with a couple of slivers of Parmigiano Reggiano. When the cheese looks a bit melty, he stacks the two halves, and cheese sides together Finally, he spreads a bit of butter on the edges of the fried side of the bread to make it evenly brown and crusty. Flips it over and butters the other side. When both sides are golden, when the cheese oozes out, it’s done.
Ingredients
2 thick slices of chewy white bread, such as sourdough
100-150g cheese, we like a mixture of mature cheddar and edam
Butter, for spreading
English mustard, to serve
Directions
- Lay thick slices of chewy white bread on a board. Grate 100-150g of good melting cheese per sandwich (or as much as you dare) – we like a mixture of mature cheddar and Edammer. Pack the cheese onto one slice of bread, top with the other and press down firmly.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Generously butter the top of each sandwich, then lay them butter-side down in the frying pan. Press down using a fish slice and fry for 4-5 minutes until the underside is lightly toasted. Butter the tops, then flip the sandwiches and repeat.
- Grate a little more cheese over the tops and continue to flip the sandwiches every few minutes until the inside is completely melted and the outside crisp. Serve with English mustard and a cold beer.
Recipe Video
Notes
- If you watch this movie on an empty stomach, be prepared to leave with a serious case of the munchies. The food looks so delicious that you’ll want to reach through the screen and grab a bite!
- “Chef” is a great example of how social media can be both a blessing and a curse. Carl’s infamous Twitter rant goes viral and ends up kickstarting his career, but it also exposes him to a lot of unwanted attention and criticism.
- The scene where Carl teaches his son how to make a perfect grilled cheese sandwich is so sweet that it might just give you a cavity. Seriously, the father-son bonding in this movie is next-level.
- There’s a hilarious cameo by Robert Downey Jr. as a wealthy businessman who hires Carl to cater his party. RDJ’s character is a total eccentric and his demands for “the most delicious sandwich in the world” will have you in stitches.
- Speaking of cameos, keep an eye out for a brief appearance by Scarlett Johansson as Carl’s love interest. She doesn’t get a ton of screen time, but she’s as charming as ever.
