All language subtitles for Love.Served.Here.2023.720p.WEBRip.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX]

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(upbeat music)

- Who's on scallops?
There are three orders waiting.

It needs to emulsify.

If the eggs are cold,
run them under hot water first.

(bell dings)
Service!

- What's wrong with the place
downtown? They've got peanuts.

- Yeah, and like three health
violations.

- Three's not bad.
I mean it's not good. What?

Why you doing the face.
- Come on, man.

You promised to be
my wingman today.

And you didn't even dress
the part.

- Hey, this is a clean shirt.

And I didn't know we're going
to Café d'Or, Manny.

- What's wrong with Café d'Or?
- For starters,

there's a stupid accent
over the E.

- Joe, please. For once can you
not act like a grumpy old man?

I just want to have a few drinks
with my buddy,

and maybe lock eyes
with some European princess

who wants to escape
her security detail

and get a tour of the city.

- Isn't that the plot of
Roman Holiday?

- So I'm a hopeless romantic.
But can we please

have a nice time without you
being all... Joe?

- All right, yeah. Sorry.

We'll have a nice time.
Promise.

- Thank you.

(playful music)

(speaking with French Accent)
- Bonjour, how are you today?

That's very nice.
Oh, those look very good, yes?

Aw, okay, that's good job.
I like this.

(gasping)
Mushrooms are in.

Oh, this one is my favourite.

(speaking with a French accent)
- "I'm Jacques. I'm so cool

and effortlessly French..."

(snickering)

- Bonjour, Emma.
How goes the shift?

- Great. Never better.
What are you doing here Jacques?

Trying to steal
my souffle recipe?

Parce que votre soufflé
ressemble à une crêpe.

- Non. If you're going to speak
French, speak it correctly.

Parce que votre soufflé
ressemble...

- Parce que vôtre soufflé
ressemble...

- Non, ressemble.
- Ressemble...

- C'est incroyable.

It is like a pig
with truffles in its mouth.

- Seriously, Jacques.
What are you doing here?
It's your day off.

- You didn't you hear?

They plan to announce who
will be executive chef today.

May the best chef win.

- Hmm. Okay.

Zut alors.

(mellow jazz music)

- Unbelievable.
They don't even put out nuts.

- This was a bad idea.
What are we even doing here

in the middle of the day?

- What, you want to go at night
and miss the lunch specials?

- Lunch specials? I don't think
they have lunch specials here.

Hey, do I look stupid?

Like, am I under dressed
or something?

- No. Why would you say that?

You're the best-dressed guy
here.

- Oh, yeah? What about him?

Alright, ignore Mr. Monopoly Man
over there.

Hey, you're just nervous, okay?
And that's understandable.

Trying to get out there and date
is terrifying.

Trust me, I know.
- You know?

Joe, you haven't been
on a date in like two years.

- Okay, so I'm married
to my work.

So it's more like a loveless
marriage.

But hey, today isn't about me.

So we're gonna have some beers,

and go out and chat
to some people on the patio.

And don't worry about the money.
Drinks are on me today.

- A beer's like 20 bucks here.

- One drink on me.

(dishes clattering)

- Hey, can we talk?

- Why does Jacques always
wear a hat?

Do you think
it's a Ratatouille situation?

- They're making
the announcement today.

- You're kidding me?
Are you sure it's today?

- Yes, I'm sure. Why would
Jacques be here on his day off?

- So, this is actually
happening?

Emma Kane, executive chef?
(squealing)

Okay, pageant girl advice.

Remember to hug second place
and smile.

- Okay.
- But not with your eyes

'cause that shows weakness.
- Okay.

- You have a speech?
- Better.

I have a 34-point manifesto
titled,

Much Adieu About Cooking.

It's a pun. Much a do.

Anyways, it's Shakespeare.

- Yeah, maybe you should
just say thank you.

(bell dinging)
- Ooh. This is it.

Wish me luck.
- I gotta accept a delivery

but I will meet you on the patio
for drinks later.

- Okay.
(bell dinging)

- Gather around everyone.
I have an announcement.

- Hmm?
- I didn't say smother me.

Now.

I'm here to tell you
that the rumours are true.

Our executive chef
will officially be retiring

at the end of the month.

Yes, yes, I know,

we're all very sad to see him
go, et cetera, et cetera.

But you'll all rest easy knowing

that the kitchen will be
in the very competent hands...

of Jacques Laplace.

- Oh.
- Him?

(tense music)

- Well, the other applicants
lacked a certain uh,

je ne sais quoi.
- That means...

- I know what it means.
- Ah, besides, he's French.

Jacques, would you like to say
a few words to the kitchen?

- Merci, Madame Campbell.

I'd like to first thank everyone
in this kitchen.

I know this is my day, but
cooking is a team effort, no?

And there is no one on this team
I would like to thank more

than Mademoiselle Kane.

A round of applause,
s'il vous plaît.

(quirky music)

(chuckling softly)

- He reverse pageant girled you?

- He even got
the whole kitchen to clap.

- Oh, he's good.
He's very good.

- Ooh, hi. Could I get a
gin and tonic, Hendricks please?

And make sure you muddle
the lime.

Oh and tonic on the side?
That would be great. Thanks.

And sorry. If I could
just get one ice cube please,

thank you so much.

- Okay, maybe it's a good thing
you didn't get the job.

- How is it a good thing
that I didn't get the promotion?

- Seriously, girl.
You've been breaking you back

over this promotion and
for what?

So that you can fry up some
more pretentious French food

in the name of fine dining?
- Okay. But French cooking

is the closest thing
to art on a plate. I love it.

- Do you, though? You literally
threw up last week

when you cooked that...
- Ew, ew. Don't say it, please.

Okay fine. But it's not
like it's all bad working here,
you know?

- Emma, you worked 82 hours
last week.

Don't you want a personal life?
You could start dating again.

- No. Definitely not.

Remember, Steve?
Broke up with me over text.

- Okay, in Steve's defence,
you did let yourself

into his apartment and
reorganized his whole closet.

- Well, who doesn't organize
their wardrobe

according to Roy G. Biv?
Crazy.

- Uh-oh.
Incoming, five o'clock.

- Huh?
- Hot or not? Make up your mind.

- I don't know. Stop.

- Uh, how can we help you?

- Hello, ladies.

- Oh, sorry. I'm happily taken
but my friend here...

- Oh, no, no.
Sorry, it's a no.

- Don't mind my friend.
He's got horrible stage fright.

But a really firm handshake.

- Oh, we already shot him down.

- What? Just like that?
Did you even try shaking it?

(playful music)

- Okay, fine.
Message received loud and clear.

Well, now we know why this place
has only got one star.

The food is bad
and the people are worse.

- You do know
it's Michelin Star, right?

It's printed in the menu.
- Maybe we should dial it down.

- Why? I'm just correcting him.

- Is it a Michelin Star, though?
Is it really?

Okay, wow, yes it is.
They are very clear about that.

- You were saying about
the food?

- All right, so this place might
have a Michelin Star but look,

I'm a chef and I gotta say
the food coming out of that
kitchen

it's not looking so great.

- Okay and how many stars does
your restaurant have?

- Well, I don't want
to say five...

- Well, that's literally
impossible.

- Four.
- Also, impossible.

- Three.
- You know what I think?

I think that your restaurant
has zero stars

because you're probably
the worst chef in the city.

- Appreciate the review.

You two have a good time, okay?

- Thank you. Have a great day.

- Mm, I will. We will. Yes.
- Good. Good.

- Okay. Okay.
- Good.

- Yeah. Maybe you shouldn't
start dating again.

- Where's my gin and tonic?

(sighing)

- Think about it. We get one
slice of pizza and then we...

- No, no-no. I can't.
I have to be home by 6:22

so I can get changed for
the gym by...

- 6:41 and be four minutes early
for your 7p.m. class. I know.

- You go on ahead.

- Please don't tell me you're
gonna do something stupid.

- No, no. I'm just gonna get
that promotion.

- It's the same thing.

- Mrs. Campbell Patrick?

- Do you really expect me
to tip you before you bring
over my car?

- Oh, no, no, I'm actually
not a valet.

I work in the restaurant?

Anyways I was just wondering
if I could maybe discuss

our recent hiring decision
with you.

- HR exists for a reason,
my dear.

Their offices are not here.
- Yes, I know.

If I could just have two minutes
of your time? Please?

(tense music)

- 90 seconds, starting now.

- I know you gave Jacques
the role

but I just need you
to realize that I'm just
as qualified as he is.

Not only have I worked here
longer but I work harder.

Just look at the shift schedule.

I easily put in 20 hours more
than him every week.

I'm talented, I'm dedicated
and I'm hungry for this job.

So, please,
won't you reconsider?

- Jacques ran a small kitchen
before coming here.

Now, I know who you are.
I've read your CV.

I've seen your work.
I'm telling you,

you do not have the experience
to lead a kitchen that size.

- But if I just
had the opportunity to...

(playful music)

- And wouldn't you know it,
that's 90 seconds?

So, thank you and goodbye.

- What about a bet?

- Yeah, I'm listening.

- You don't think
I can run a kitchen.

But I bet you that I can turn
around, not just any kitchen

but the worst restaurant
in the city.

And get it a five-star review.

If I can do that, you're gonna
give me that promotion.

- Well, that is a very
interesting proposition.

As it happens, I'm looking
to trim the fat of the budget.

So, if you lose, you're not only
getting a demotion,

you're getting a pay cut too.

Do we have a deal?

- Deal.

- Good. You have two weeks.

- Wait. Two weeks?
Two weeks is...

- That's all a true
executive chef really needs.

I'll pick the place,

I'll have my assistant
email you the address.

Bonne chance!

-Good talk, thank you!

(upbeat music)

(sizzling)

(indistinct chatter)

(static)

- Swing, swing batter.
Strikes! He strikes!

Why you throwing balls?
You can't have that!

(sportscaster on radio): We had
the rookie from Chicago

who was looking great
this year...

Here comes the pitch and
it's another ball.

The starting pitcher just cannot
seem to land anything...

- Mmm.

(crowd cheering on radio)

Swing, batter, come on swing.
Swing on that one,

it was right down the pipe.
Come on!

Once, guys!

- Okay.

Oh.

(quirky music)

Okay, it could be worse.

Maybe not.

(upbeat music playing)

Oh, no.

This is like hoarder reality TV.

Hello?

Anyone there?

(high pitched beeping)
Oh!

(tense music)

Oh, my God. You are
the worst chef in town.

- Yeah. Nice to see you too.

What are you even doing here?

You stalking me?
- What?! No. No, no. No!

- 'Cause it kinda seems like
you're stalking me.

- Who would want to stalk
the worst-dressed guy in a bar?

Hmm.
- And she's back to the insults.

- No, I'm not. I...

(sighing)
Listen, can we start over?

I really just came here
to get some food.

- Okay. Take a seat.

- Thank you.

- I'll be right back.

- Okay.

So, where is the menu?

- There isn't one.

Joe's every meal is tailor-made
to each customer since 1982.

- Then uh, what's this?

- We're out of ingredients and
this was going to be my lunch.

- Remind me what
kind of cuisine you cook?

- It's whatever I feel like.

- And this is what you felt
like cooking today?

- Hey, I'm sensing a little bit
of skepticism here.

- No, no. No, I mean,
it looks like food.

- So, take a bite then.

- I will.

- Hmm. Your fork's not moving.

(suspenseful music)

- Okay...

Here I go.

Mmm. This, what is this?

Did you put pesto in this?

- It really complements the soy
sauce and anchovies, right?

And the freeze-dried squid
gives it that crunch.

- This shouldn't taste
this good. This makes no sense.

Who taught you how to cook?

- Name's above the door.

- So you're not...

- Joe Paretti Jr. This place was
originally my old man's.

- Hmm.

Emma Kane.

- So Emma Kane, still think
I'm the worst chef in the city?

(giggling)

(mellow music playing)

- So, how much do I owe you?
- Forget about it.

It's nice to cook for someone
who actually enjoys it.

- Are you sure you can afford
to be giving out free meal?

- Just late filing taxes
this year.

- Only this year?

- All right, fine.
Your bill comes to $62,500,

payable to the great
State of Washington.

Thank you and come again.

- Seriously, Joe.
What if I could help you?

- Not this again. Are you with
that slime ball real estate
developer?

Because I ain't selling.
- No, no, no. I'm a chef.

- Get out of here? What at the
place with the star or whatever.

- Yes, at the place with
the star.

And I'm telling you,
you have real potential.

Sure, you're a little rough
around the edges but

I promised that I can
turn you and this restaurant
around in two weeks.

- Look, I appreciate the offer

but we Parettis are
a proud people.

And this is a family business.

It's all I got left of my dad
and it's how I support my mom.

- With what money?

- I've got regular customers.

- Look, this is your last chance
to save your family legacy.

And take it or leave it. 'Cause
if I go, I mean, I'm gone.

You know?

Okay, well...

Thanks for a lovely meal.

What did I just do?
What did I just do?

Oh, Emma Kane, you're so smart.
You just give him an ultimatum.

What could possibly go wrong?

What could go wrong?
You're a genius.

It's the best line
you've ever had.

- Emma?

- Hey, what's up?

- You really think we can turn
this place around in two weeks?

- I really do.

- Okay then.

- Okay then,
so, we're doing this?

(both):
We're doing this.

- Yes! Oh, my gosh, okay.
You won't regret it. Joe...

- Paretti.
- Paretti!

You won't regret it,
I promise. We're gonna do it!

Okay, I'll talk to you soon.
Okay, bye, bye.

(playful music)

(upbeat music)

- No, trust me. My mom forced
me to compete in pageants

until I was 15. And this is some
Pageant Girl 101.

If you want to win, you gotta
make sure everyone else loses.

- I'm not sure I'm following.

- Think about it.
Bet or no bet,

you gotta make sure that Vivian
sees no other choice

but to give you that promotion.

That means getting rid
of the competition.

(scoffing)
You gotta get inside Jacques's
head and sabotage him.

- You just want to see
what's underneath that hat.

(laughing)
- Well, is it died roots?

A bald spot?
A rat giving instructions?

We just don't know.

- Coaster!

- Seriously, though.

I'll try to trip up Jacques
and you focus on turning around

Joe's slop shack
or whatever it's called.

- I'm very glad that
you're on my side. Speaking
of that slop shack...

What do you think?
- Mm. Oh, he is handsome.

- Stay focused.
(giggling)

- Founded in 1984,
blah, blah, blah...

Oh, wait, hold on.
This place got some really good
press back in the day.

- Yeah.
- Well, what happened?

- Well, I don't know.
The reviews take a nosedive

in 2017. They say it's
disorganized, unclean, erratic.

(solemn music)

Oh, no.
Joe happened.

- So, it's the girl
from Café D'or

and she's not stalking you?
- I don't think so.

- Dude, that is awesome!
Fate has something in store
for you, Joe Paretti.

So what's the deal, is she gonna
be like part-owner or what?

- She just wants to help out,
you know?

Thinks I'm a diamond
in the rough and that I got
real potential.

- Like a My Fair Lady situation?

- What's with all the Audrey
Hepburn references?

- I don't know,
I like Audrey Hepburn, man.

But I'm just happy for you.

You know, I wish someone would
walk into my life like that.

(laughing)
- Can you believe these things?

You can eat this, right?
- It's a dragon fruit, Joe.

- Okay, Harry Potter.
So, how's the dating situation?

- Not great but
I downloaded some apps.

- Okay, that's good. You know,
you swipe up, you swipe down,

left, right. All around.

- You've got no idea what
you're talking about, do you?

- Not a clue.
I will take two of these.

- All right, well, you are lucky
you get a discount here.

- I agree. Thank you.
Yes. Good day.

- See you tomorrow, Joe.
- See you tomorrow.

(cell phone ringing)

- Sarah?

(Sarah): Just checking
Jacques can't fire me, can he?

- No. He's hot kitchen,
you're pastry. Why?

(Sarah): Because I'm about
to wage some serious

psychological warfare on
your behalf.

- Wait, warfare?
What do you mean, warfare?

- Okay, gotta go.
- No, Sarah! Wait, what...

(sighing)

- Emma?

Ready for your first day
at Joe's?

- Let's do this.

Thank you.

(quirky music)

- All right, buddy.
Let's see what you're hiding
underneath that hat.

(with a New York accent):
Hey! I'm working here!

(tense music)
Je n'y crois pas!

- You are frickin' kidding me.

He's faking that accent.

- We got everything we need.
We got onion, peppers, chilies.

I don't even know what
this spikey thing is but
we've got it.

What? Show a little excitement.

- I'm not excited, Joe.

You don't think we can really
cook in this kitchen, do you?

- Yeah. What's wrong with it?

- It's a mess!
There are boxes everywhere...

- It's called, organization...
- The pans are caked with
grease...

- I don't know who this guy is
but he's giving me the creeps.

- Hey, that's my culinary idol.
- He's a baseball player.

- His name's Goose Ellington
and he changed the game forever.

- Okay, fine. Whatever. Listen,
cooking is an exact science

and the kitchen
is our laboratory

and it really, really needs
to be clean.

- Okay, fine.
I'll buy a mop. Happy?

(laughing)
Okay, okay. We'll clean up.

- Okay.

♪ I took a trip across the sea ♪

♪ To find somewhere for
you and me ♪

♪ I wonder what it is
you'll say ♪

♪ When your smile outshines
the brightest light of day ♪

♪ Mm mm mm mm mm ♪

♪ Oh tomorrow ♪

♪ When I finally find that peace
of mind I seek ♪

♪ No more loneliness for me ♪

♪ I'm coming home so I can
breathe ♪

♪ Finally breathe ♪

♪ And feel the light ♪

♪ You bring ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Sha la la la la la la la ♪

♪ Sha la la la la la la la ♪

♪ Mm mm mm mm mm ♪

♪ Brought back some
sunshine of my own ♪

♪ I'll pick you up and
take you home ♪

♪ Pick up my uke and sing
and play ♪

♪ So I can see your smile
outshine the light of day ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ 'Cause your smile outshines
the brightest light of day ♪

♪ Brightest light of day ♪

♪ Mm mm mm mm mm ♪

- Wow! It looks bright in here.
You did such a good job!

- Well, you did help,
when you weren't mourning
the loss of your pickles.

Well, I'm out.

- I thought we were gonna
finally start cooking.

- No. I have plans and
I hate being late, so bye!

(mysterious music)

- That was a close one,
little guy.

(exhaling deeply)

(soft jazz music)

- I literally cleaned
for the last nine hours

and he fought me every step
of the way.

It's like he's emotionally
attached to his garbage.

- But in his defence, you are
weirdly intense about cleaning.

- I watched a grown man
cry when I threw out a jar
of pickles, Sarah.

I can't do it. There's no way
I'm gonna win this bet.

- What if I said,
you didn't have to?

- Wait. You have dirt
on Jacques?

- Enough to bury him.

(gasping)
- Okay.

- Get this. Mr. French, isn't
even French at all.

That accent is fake.

- Wait! That's insane.
Are you sure?

- Oh, I'm sure.
I tried to take his stupid hat

and he went full
Al Pacino on me.

- That lying little snake.

- Yeah. But think about it.

If I can get proof that
Jacques is faking his accent,

Vivian is definitely
not giving him that job.

- We're gonna Pageant Girl him,
aren't we?

- Oh, we're gonna Pageant Girl
him so hard.

- I'm so excited.

(laughing)

(mellow music)

(door bells chiming)

- Hey, buddy.

I was wondering if I could
return this dragon fruit.

I cut one open last night.

Not as tasty as they look.

- Did you at least bring me
the receipt,

so I don't have to weigh it
back up again?

- Yeah. Of course. It's uh...

somewhere in here.

Ah.

Yup.

- Really?

(door bells chiming)

- You all right, buddy?

(tender music)

Why don't you just go over there
and talk to her?

- Are you crazy?
She's way out of my league.

- So. Pretend you're
Cary Grant from one of those
movies you like.

- No. I don't have the jawline
or the charisma.

(whispering)
She's coming this way.

- Look at the time,
gotta go Manny.

- Joe...

- Hi. I was just wondering
if you carry any organic papaya.

Great. I'm Céline,
nice to meet you.

And you are...?

- Manny. Manny Magaña.

- So, you think
you can help me out?

I'm trying to make this
summery salad for my aunt.

And let's just say,
she's not easily pleased.

- Well, that's because she's
never had a Red Lady Papaya.

- Okay. I'm liking
the sound of this.

- If you follow me right
this way.

(chuckling)

- So, this is what I was
thinking.

The restaurant been closed...
- Whoa! Who said it was closed?

- Well, it was a dump,
no one worked here

and certainly no one ate here,
so...

- I keep telling you, I got like
six regular customers.

- Okay. Sure. Anyways,

what I was thinking is
that we do a grand reopening.

We can also arrange for a critic
to be here on the day.

But before we do all that,
we really need to polish up
your theory.

- My theory? What theory?
It's food.

- Yes. And it's complicated.

Can you even name the five basic
flavour profiles?

- Yeah, sure.
You got sweet, sour,

salty, bitter and...

soy sauce?
- I think you mean umami.

- Okay, whatever. Look, I'm not
very good with theory and stuff.

I didn't learn to hit a baseball
by reading a book.

I just step up to the plate
and take a swing.

Come on coach. Please.

- Fine. We'll start
with the practical then.

Follow me.

So, we're going to be cooking
a classic French staple.

Ratatouille over
a tomato paprika sauce.

It'll give you all the basic
insights into French cooking,

while also requiring you to be...
- More refined.

- Less you.

So, first, we're going to do
a chiffonade cut.

So, you're gonna grab
your herbs and stack them
on top of each other.

Biggest leaves on the bottom.
- Mm-hmm.

- And then, we're going
to almost roll them

so they're in one solid bundle.
- Mm-hmm.

- And then, we chop.

How's it going over there,
slugger?

- Oh, I'm doing just fine,
thank you.

- Okay.

- Now we need to prepare
the tomatoes.

In order to get a nice
smooth sauce,

we need to first remove
the skins.

Which means, blanching
the tomatoes, obviously.

So, we let them boil
just for half a minute and
then we take them out.

Now, we're going to gently
peel back the skin on each one.

What happened?

- Yeah, you know that part
where you said to be gentle?

Yeah, I didn't do that.

Are you gonna use all tomatoes?

- Then we add a garnish...
et voila!

- I don't think mine looks
right.

- Right? A starving French
peasant wouldn't even eat that.

- Hey, I followed your
instructions.

- Did you, though?
- Well, maybe if you didn't

lecture me like I was in
school...

- Well, tough.
Because you're here to learn.

So, you'd better bring
your A game tomorrow.

- Wow, you really laid it
on thick with him.

- I'm so over this. Can we just
sabotage Jacques already?

- I'm working on it.

(groaning)

- Chocolate?

- Ooh, did you steal that
from work?

(chuckling)
- So, you got a tough student.

What are you going to do
about it?

- I don't know. The more
I try to teach him, the less
he wants to learn.

- So, just pretend to be
his bro.

- What do you mean?

- Emma, guys are simple.

They just want to know that you
can chill, speak their language.

Get on the same level as them.

If you want Joe to actually
listen to you...

- I have to become his bro.

That's smart.
Well done.

(giggling)

(upbeat music)

- Ready to cook?

- I was thinking we could
take the lessons outside
the kitchen today?

Like a school field trip maybe?

- I already graduated.

- Why do you have to be
so immature?

Bro.

- Okay, bro.
What's the field trip?

- We're going to a museum.

- Yeah, I think I'm good.
- No, no, no, no.

We're using the buddy system.
So, we're going together.

- Jacket.
- It's allowed, okay. Let's go.

(birds chirping)

- Hey, I love museums as much
as the next guy...

- Somehow I doubt that.

- Okay, but maybe I don't
get the point of having

a museum dedicated to food.
- Mm.

- You know what a museum
for food is called?

- Okay.
- A kitchen.

- Right. Well, let's do a little
exercise.

Take a look at this exhibit and
tell me what you see.

- I see blue corn and dolls.

What?

- You really don't get it
do you?

Did you know that the Indigenous
people of the Americas

cultivated corn
over 7000 years ago?

And not just the one lame
variety that we eat today

but hundreds, thousands more.

They used the corn husks to make
dolls for their children

and when someone got married,

some nations would make
a ceremonial cake out of corn.

These are the three sisters.
Corns, beans and squash.

They would plant all three right
next to each other.

The tall corn stalks
would be perfect for the beans
to grow over,

while the squash leaves
would trap moisture in the soil

and the beans would replenish
nutrients.

I mean, it was genius, truly.

And that's the incredible
thing about food.

It's not just about what's
on your plate, it's history.

It's a celebration of different
peoples and cultures.

It's... beautiful.

- Yeah, it is beautiful.

- What?

- I don't know, I just...

never thought about food
that way.

- Oh, well, that's because
you grew up learning to cook
in a kitchen.

For me it started in museums
and libraries.

No joke! I'd run to the library
after school

and take out any cookbook
I could find.

- Get out of here.
What, like, Joy of Cooking?

(chuckling)
- Yes. Joy of Cooking,

Better Homes New Cookbook.
Anything by Julia Child.

I just loved looking at them.

You know, the pictures
and the ingredients lists.

Every page had a recipe
for happiness.

And I just had to follow
the steps.

(cell phone ringing)

Oh. Hold on, just a sec.

- Yeah, for sure.
- Sarah? What's going on?

(Sarah): Operation Sabotage.

I've got a voice recorder on.

Let's see if I can trip up
Jacques. You want to listen in?

- Okay, just uh...
make it quick.

(blender whirring)

- Hey, Jacques.
Sorry about the whole hat
thing the other day.

- Pas de problème, Sarah.

- You and I never chat.
Like, whereabouts in France
are you even from?

- Paris.
- What neighbourhood?

- Ninth arrondissement.
- What street?

- Rue Clauzel.

- What's the population
of Paris?

- 2,165,423 people, according
to the latest census.

(dramatic music)
Is that your phone?

You're not supposed to have
your phone in the kitchen!

- Abort! Abort! Abort!

- Sarah? Sarah, wha...

(phone beeping)

Sorry, I just had to take that.

- Hey, uh, I've got an idea.
Come on.

- Oh. Where are we going?
- I'm gonna show you

where I fist fell
in love with cooking.

- Okay. Sounds good.

- Okay.

(mellow music)

(indistinct chattering)

(laughing)

Corn dogs?

So, you bring me to the bay.
- Mm-hmm.

- To tell me where you found
your love of cooking.

And it's not freshly caught
seafood, it's corn dogs?

- Hey, don't knock'em till you
try'em.

These aren't
your average corn dogs.

- Uh-huh.
- They're Korean.

- Here, watch.

- Mm.

Okay, these are amazing.

- Right?
- Mm-hmm.

- They use panko instead
of cornmeal...

- Mm-hmm.
- And add chunks of
mozzarella into it.

Here try it with the chili mayo.

- Okay.

(crunching)

Why do we even bother
eating the regular ones?

- Right?
- Mm-hmm.

- No one knows.
(chuckling)

- Okay, I'll bite.

What do corn dogs have
to do with the Joe Paretti
origin story?

(chuckling)

- Honestly?
- Mm-hmm.

- Just like this.
My dad and I used to go fishing

in the bay but we'd never catch
anything big enough to cook.

(chuckling)

So we'd get some food
and walk around the beach.

- Mm-hmm.
- I remember being, maybe like,

six or seven and just
chomping down on the skewer.

Thinking it was the best
tasting thing in the world.

(heartfelt music)
Looking back,

it was probably the experience,
you know. The people.

I miss that guy.

He wasn't perfect
but he was a good dad.

What?
Do I have something on my face?

- No, nothing. Nothing.

Um, let's make a toast.

To good food and good memories.

- To good food and
good memories.

- Tink.

(chuckling)

- I like getting walked home.
Makes me feel warm and safe.

Kind of like one of those
weighted blankets.

(giggling)
- Ah.

Hey, can we be real for
a second?

I think you're a really good guy

and I think you have
the potential to be a really
great chef.

- Why do I feel like there's
a "but"?

- But you need to let me
help you.

That means, not fighting me
every step of the way.

I can be the Coyote Banks
to your Goose Ellington.

- Wait, hold up.

Was that an actual, bona fide
baseball reference?

- Okay, full disclosure,

I did spend an hour looking
them up online,

and I still don't understand
their relationship.

- Coyote Banks was the relief
pitcher

who'd come on before Goose.
He'd pitch a few innings,

and then Goose would get up
there and work his magic.

- Okay, well, that's perfect.

Think of me as your
Coyote Banks.

Just try to learn something.

- Okay. Then, let me officially
welcome you to the team.

- Okay. Um, I will see you
tomorrow.

- Tomorrow.
- Okay.

- Yes.
- Yes.

(chuckling)

You don't get it, Manny.

You get this certain rush when
you nail the perfect recipe.

Life is too complicated
not to be orderly.

You know who said that?

Martha Stewart.

- You know she's friends
with Snoop Dog?

I like to think they
have a relationship like ours.

- You got any clarified butter?

Also and I'm Martha or Snoop
in your head?

- What's wrong
with regular butter?

- It's got like milk proteins in
it, so it burns at a lower heat.

(door bells chiming)

You okay, man?
You look kinda red.

- Okay, don't look but the girl
from the other day

just walked in.
What are you doing?

- Why would you point her out
if you didn't want me to look?

(whispering)
- Stop it!
- What?

Why don't you just ask
her out already?

- Because maybe she just wants
to buy her groceries in peace

without having some
random dude hit on her.

- That's a pretty good point.

(cell phone buzzing)
Oh.

It's Emma. She's outside
the restaurant.

Can I pay for these later?
I gotta go.

- Hey, Joe.

- Did he just walk out
without paying?

- Yeah, he does that. But how
did the Red Lady Papaya go?

Did your aunt like it?
- The papaya, yes.

The rest of the salad, though,
not so much.

But she's coming over tonight
to watch Philadelphia Story,
so...

- Oh, with Cary Grant
and Katherine Hepburn?

It's one of my favourites.
- Yeah? Me too.

Anyway, I've gotta make a dinner
for her first and she's...

- Incredibly picky?
- Exactly.

My family's half Korean
and half Chinese,

so we usually end up doing
some kind of fusion dish

but I was thinking
of mixing it up and doing
a veggie lasagna this time.

Really pull out all the stops.

If you can help me pick out
some vegetables?

- Yeah, I can help you
with that.

These just came in from Spain.

And they're pretty fresh.

(music crescendo)

- Hey, sorry I'm late.
I got held up talking to Manny.

- Oh, no. It's totally fine.

It's not like being
4 minutes and 23 seconds
late is a big deal.

(quirky music)

No seriously,
it's not a big deal.

- Well, if you're stuck out
here again,

you can always use
the master key.

- Oh. Oh, there's a key under
the dead plant. Yeah.

- No, not under it. In it.

- In the dead plant?
- Mm-hmm. Smart.

- That makes sense.

Yeah.

Thank you.
- After you.

- Okay, now for the great
reveal. Let's see.

Pretty good.
Let's see how it tastes.

- So what are we thinking?

Eight out of ten?
Nine out of ten?

We don't have to rate it.

- How did you manage to chop
something that badly?

- Okay so I made one mistake.
Big deal.

- Don't tell me you used
that ratty old knife?

- Yeah. That's old reliable.

- Joe. Fine cooking is precise
cooking

and that knife doesn't allow you
to be precise so,

moving forward, you're gonna
have to get a better knife.

- Yeah. Not interested.

- Are you serious?
It's just a knife

- I don't want to use
another knife.

- The grand reopening is just
in a week.

And there's no possible way
you can use that. I mean,
it's falling apart.

- I heard you and I said, no.

(tense music)

- Joe. Give me that knife.
- Never.

- Don't make me take it away
from you.

- You want to take it,
you're gonna have to pry it

from my cold, dead hands.
- This is literally insane.

- It's okay, buddy.
She's not gonna take you away.

Is she?

- Fine. Have it your way.

- I'm just trying to have
some fun.

We can have fun.

- It's like a dog with a bone.
He won't let me touch the knife

and he certainly won't let me
take the knife away.

Sarah, what's wrong?
- Nothing's wrong.

Except for the fact that
Jacques never drops his act,
not even for a second.

And I just wanted
an easy win tonight

but this caramel ganache
refuses to come together.

- Okay, well,
maybe we improvise.

What about some peanut butter
and salt? Maybe try that.

- That's not in the recipe.

You never deviate from
the recipe.

- Oh, my gosh.
- Oh, my gosh.

- No, don't say it.
- So, Joe's rubbing off on you.

- Do not say that.
I'm the one teaching him.

- Seems like he's rubbing off
on you.

- Can you just help me with
this knife thing?

- Okay. Maybe talk to Joe's mom.

She might have some insight.
- Okay but how would I do that?

Oh, no, don't say it, Sarah.

- Meet the family.

- Yeah. Okay,
you might be right.

Let's try it.

That is really good.

(joyful music)

- So, in order for you to
help me become a better chef...

- I need a better idea of
where you came from.

- Which means,
Sunday dinner with my mom.

- Exactly.
- Yeah, I still don't get it.

- Well, too bad because
we're here.

- That's not my house.

- Joe, the mailbox literally
has your name on it.

(chuckling)
- That's weird.

- Okay, let's do this.
- Okay, wait, wait, wait.
Wait, wait.

- Uh-huh.
- Before we go in there,

I just want to warn you,
my family's kind of a lot.

- Okay.
- Once the cops had to come

and break up a family
board game night.

- That is a disturbing
bit of trivia but trust me,

it's gonna be fine.
- Okay, I trust you.

- Okay, good.

- Hi, honey.

And you must be Emma. Oh,
my goodness, just look at you.

- Hi, Mrs. Paretti.
- Please, it's Lorraine.

Come here you little thing.
- Wow, yeah.

- What's up, loser?

- Oh, I thought we were just
having dinner with your mom?

- Nope. Emma, this is my cousin,
Alex. Ignore everything he says.

- She is way out of your league.

- Okay.
One, she's my co-worker,

and two, she's not out
of my league.

- Hey, I'm just sayin'.
You wore the same pair

of sweatpants for two months.
- Wait, what?

- Are we talking about
the sweatpants again, Joey?

- Oh, there's more.

- I remember it like
it was just yesterday.

It was the summer of '04.

And the sweatpants started
as a distinctive shade of light
grey...

- Uncle Paul, we really
don't need to hear this story.

- He was walking down main
street when they first ripped.

- Mom, do you need help
in the kitchen?

Let's go to the kitchen, okay?

- Hey, Joe? Joe?

- You're dead meat.

- Come on, I'll show you
the back yard.

- Okay.

(birds chirping)

So, what's this?

- You don't want to get
involved, Emma.

That's the great bocce ball
rivalry.

Two dummies, equally lacking
in brains,

duking it out every Sunday.

- And yet, one dummy
reigns supreme.

21 games to nine.

- And you're trying to hit
that white ball right there?

- The pallino.
- Ah.

- There's a little bit more
strategy to it. I mean, just...

- Seems easy enough.

- Looks like we got ourselves
a game.

- Okay, let's go.

(playful music)

- I haven't heard from you much.
You've been busy this week?

- Yeah, sorry. It's just,

I got a lot to learn but Emma's
been a really good teacher.

- So, it's going well?
You're happy?

- Yeah. Yeah,
it's going really well.

- It's so good to see you
smiling again.

- Score's tied two, two.

Next point wins.

- I don't care what he said,

I think you're pretty good
at this.

- Don't listen to him, Emma.

He's trying to get inside
your head.

- Seriously,
it's been a good game.

- Ah, you punk!

- And that puts me in the lead!

(chuckling)

- Ha-ha! In your face Alex!
In your face!

Ooh, I think your crown
is on my head!

(mockingly)
Your crown is on my head.

- Emma.
- Hi.

- Hi.
- Hello.

- How are you?
- I am great.

- Great?
- Yes.

- Uh, my Mom's wondering if you
want to help her in the kitchen.

- Oh, sure, yes.
I will be right there.

(chuckling)

- Thank you so much.

- I heard you lost again.

(indistinct chattering)

- Honey, have you ever made
pasta dough before?

- Not in a really long time.

- Do you mind finishing up
the kneading for me?

- Oh, yeah.
I can figure that out.

Um, hey, Lorraine, can
I ask you something about Joe?

- Of course, sweetie.

- He's got this really old,

really beaten up knife
that he refuses to get rid of.

- Old reliable.
- Oh, you know it.

- Of course I do.

Joe got that knife when
he was 16 from his dad.

Now he was happy to get it,
excited.

But it wasn't until his dad
died a few years ago

that he really got attached
to it.

- How did he, you know?

- Poor man had a stroke.

One day perfectly healthy and
the next day in the hospital.

Joe took it real hard when
he passed.

He got obsessed with the idea
of keeping the restaurant open

and doing things the exact same
way his father had done them.

But Joe Sr., bless his heart,

always had help running
the place.

But Joey's too proud for
all of that.

Until you.

- I'm so sorry, I didn't know
about any of that. His dad or...

- I can see why Joey likes you.

You're strong and sweet
like a good balsamic.

(laughing)

Deep down Joey's just
a little boy.

And I know if you gave him
a new knife as a gift,

it would mean the world to him.
And he'd use it.

(thudding)
- Oh.

- You two are paying for
the next window!

- I am so sorry.

- Oh, honey. Don't you worry
about it.

Cooking is like love.

It can be a little messy,
you can make mistakes

and you can figure it out
along the way.

Now, let's go make another
batch.

- Okay.

(gentle music)

(cricket chirping)

- Ah, we always knew Joey here
wanted to be a chef.

When he was a kid, he used
to skip school all the time.

- Like playing hookey?
- All the time!

The Vice principle called me
so often

we actually became
really good friends.

- And every time, without fail,

Lorraine would find him
hiding out in the back of
the restaurant.

Watching his dad at work.

- We were never mad at him,
his father and me.

We always knew Joey was destined
for the kitchen.

And when you know, you know.

(tender music)

- What about you, Emma?
When did you know?

- Um, high school, I guess.

- I called dibs and you know it.

- No dibs at dinner. Standard
rules. I got there first.

- Boys, behave!

(tense music)

- Sit down! Both of you.

Your mother's worked hard
on this meal.

(both): Sorry, Emma.

- It's like she's one of
the family.

To Emma.

(all): To Emma.

- Okay.
(laughing)

(crickets chirping)

(gentle music)

- This is my favourite spot
of the house.

- I mean, it's so cute.
Look at this pond.

- Yeah, I actually used
to try to fish in there if
you can believe it.

- Oh, wow. Let me guess,
you didn't catch a thing?

- Not even a tadpole.

(giggling)

I was pretty upset,

so, my dad got me this dinky
little telescope.

- Mm-hmm.
- I was obsessed with space.

And we set it up right out here.

- I bet the views were
incredible.

- Oh, no, awful. Yeah,
apparently

all the suburban light
pollution makes stargazing
impossible here.

- That makes sense.

- But even if we couldn't
see anything,

we'd still come up here
most nights.

Open up a root beer and...

enjoy the fresh night air
together.

I miss that.

(heartfelt music)

You okay?

- Yeah. Yeah. No, it's just been
a really nice night.

Just chatting and sitting
with your family, it's just...

Mm. Mm-mm.

Bubbles up my nose.

(laughing)
- You okay?

- Yeah.

- You don't really
talk about your family.

- Yeah. Maybe because I don't
have anything good to say.

My parents fought a lot.

We wouldn't sit around
the table together.

No one even cooked, really.

We just kind of ate whatever
came out of the freezer.

- That's why you were checking
out cookbooks

from the library
when you were little. Yeah.

- Cooking was the first
thing I ever felt in control
over in my life.

So, yeah, that's probably why
I'm a messed up control freak.

Thanks Mom and Dad.

Hmm.

Sorry, I just made this weird.
I didn't want to...

- No, no.
- Dump that on you.

- No need to apologize.

I think you're one of the most
impressive people I know.

So what if your family's lousy?

If you're ever hungry,
if you're ever lonely,

you can just come over here.

No, I'm serious.

There's always a chair for you
at our table.

- Thanks, Joe.

- But you could be
a little less controlling.

- Oh.
(laughing)

Drink your root beer, Sir.

(laughing)

(soft jazz music)

- Hey.

Mrs. Campbell Patrick?

- Ah, well, if it isn't
Eliza Dolittle.

- It's Emma, actually.

- Yes, I supposed that reference
was a bit too highbrow for you.

So, Emma, to what do I owe
the pleasure?

- Well, I was just wondering...
- Oh, I did not say to sit down.

- Oh, yes, yes. Of course.
Whoa, of course.

I was just wondering
if I could ask you a favour.

- Well, you've already done
that, dear.

- Yes, yes!
And I'm very grateful.

It's just that Joe's restaurant
is reopening in less than a week

and I was wondering if I could
bring him in for prep tomorrow.

Just to give him some
real kitchen experience?

- Why would I ever do that?

- You're a high roller.

Aren't you curious to see
what you're betting against?

- Tomorrow then.

- Great. Awesome. Thank you,
Mrs. Campbell Patrick.

I'm just going to say hello
to everyone in the kitchen

and then I'll be on my way.
Thank you, thank you.

(playful music)

(dishes clattering)

Hey. Thought I would find
you here.

- Oh, good. It's just you.
Ah, how was the weekend?

- Oh, it was good.
Like really good.

I think we're finally starting
to understand each other.

Um, hi. Sarah?
What's going on?

- Oh, if Jacques is not going
to drop his fake accent,

we gotta trip him up some
other way.

- Okay. Cool. Um, whatever
you're planning, Sarah.

We really don't need to do it.
We don't need to do it!

Okay. See you tomorrow.

- Jacques, hi. I wanted
to apologize

for grilling you the other day.
Really not cool of me, I know.

- It is not a problem.

- I know you must be missing
Paris so much so I had the boys

whip you up a little something.

They're frog legs.

I heard the French each
80 million pairs of these
bad boys a year.

Which is disgusting
but that's France for you.

Am I right?

Jacques, whatever
could be the problem?

(suspenseful music)

- Are you recording me again?

- No, never.

That's for quality
assurance purposes.

- Écoute, ma chérie.

In less than a week, I will be
the boss of this kitchen.

And if I have to, I will make
serious changes

to the relevant teams.
Including pastries.

- Well, you're never getting
that job.

Emma made a bet with Vivian.

And if she can turn around
Joe's restaurant,

then she becomes top dog
around here.

And then it's bon voyage
for you, casse-toi.

(with New York accent):
Then I better show you

how ruthless a New Yorker
can be. Hmm.

(mysterious music)

- Here we go.

- Hungarian paprika.
- Good. And...

This one.

- Chocolate with...

- Uh-huh.
- Tonka bean.

- Perfect!
And finally...

- Oh, man! That's spicy!

Rose harissa,
that's rose harissa.

- All right.
I think you're ready.

- Ready for what?

- I've arranged for you to work
at the Café d'Or tomorrow.

It's the best way to polish
your skills. You up for it?

- Are you kidding me?
I was b...

(coughing)

It's stuck in the back
of my throat.

- Water. Water, more water.
Yeah.

(giggling)

(groaning)

(upbeat music)

(door bells chiming)

(whistling)
- Joe Paretti, cleaning up.

What's the occasion, my friend?

- Emma arranged for me
to work at the Café D'or.

So, I'm going to rock up there

and dazzle her
with my cooking skills.

- And good looks.
(chuckling)

I knew it! You are trying
to impress her.

- What? No. I just want
to look good for once.

What's so weird about that?

- You once wore the same pair of
sweatpants for three months.

- Why do people keep
bringing up the sweatpants?

Oh, don't give me that look.

What about you
and your vegetable girl?

Have you asked her out yet?
- First of all, her name's
Céline.

And we share
an intellectual bond.

- You haven't asked her,
have you?

- It's not that easy, man.
I want to. I really do.

And I have this picture perfect
image in my head of how I do it.

Where I'm all smooth and witty,
like a young Clark Gable.

But then, I open my eyes
and I'm...

I don't know, I'm just none
of that. I'm just... Manny.

- Look, Manny. I don't know
Céline,

but from where I'm standing,
you're more than enough.

And you got to believe that.

- You still have to pay
for that.

- Want a bite?

- Okay, you have everything?
- Yes.

- Oh, no, no, no. What about
the spare socks?

'Cause anything can happen.
- Spills happen. I know.

- Good, good. Oh, and I like
the hair. You seem serious about
the job.

(giggling)
Oh, and one more thing.

- Oh, cool. What is it like
a tie or something?

- Just open it.

(tender music)

- More reliable.

- It's just a stupid joke

and I know your other knife is
really important to you,

so, I had a nice mount made back
at the restaurant.

Just to make it like a keepsake.

- Emma, I, I love it.
- Really?

Come on, done up.

- How can you cook in this many
layers?

- Just relax and stop
playing with your uniform.

- I am relaxed.

And it's just prep.
- Yes, just prep.

(upbeat music)

- Hi.

- Can't talk. Full of rage.
- Why, what's happening?

- Jacques. He threatened me
after that frog stunt.

He said he'll fire me if
I continue to mess with him

once he becomes executive chef.
- If he's executive chef.

- See, he's already gotten
inside my head.

- Sarah, stop. Just stop.

- I'm sorry, Emma. I really
wanted to help you.

- Hey, you're my best friend.

You've always been there for me.
It's okay, really.

Besides, I think I can actually
win this bet.

Joe is a crazy talented chef.
- Um, you sure?

'Cause it kind of looks
like he's in a sports drink
commercial.

(quirky music)

(sizzling)

- Hey. How's it going?

- I can't do this.
I'm getting killed here.

- Okay, okay. Deep breath.

(exhaling deeply)

Right. Now how's it going?

- I don't know, I feel like
I don't belong here.

- What do you mean,
you don't belong here?

No, no, no, no.
Look, eyes on me.

Are you with me?
- Mm-hmm.

- You are Joe,
middle name, Paretti.

- It's actually Paul.
- Joe Paul Paretti. Yeah.

You grew up in the kitchen,
learning how to cook from
your dad.

One of the best
cooks you've ever known.
- Mm-hmm.

- So, don't tell me
you're scared or you can't do it

because you can.
I know you can.

You can do this sauce, boss.

You can do that.
And take off this stupid jacket.

- I thought it was part
of the uniform?

- Yeah but you're Joe Paretti,
your uniform is a T-shirt.

(gentle music)

Take it off. Get it off.
Let's go, let's go.

- Okay.

- Good, good.
Yes, there we go.

- Let's show'em.
- Let's go.

- I can do it.
- Yes!

Yes! There it is. That's it.

Nice. Oh, yeah.

(playful music)

- It should be very interesting.
Oh, Emma, dear, come over here.

Emma, this is Ginny Neu
the food critic

who will be reviewing
your efforts this weekend.

- Oh, it's a pleasure
to meet you.

- We have not been properly
introduced.

- Sorry, I'm just temping for
the day. I'm Joe. Emma's friend.

The sauce boss.

Okay, not into handshakes, cool.

- Joe, do you know what this is?

- Um, bechamel sauce.

(tense music)

- It is separated.

- I don't know about that.
Tastes pretty good to me, pal.

- In a real kitchen, there are
rules. How you say, a hierarchy?

When a sous-chef, moi
tells a commis chef, vous,

that a dish is separated,

there should only two words
that come out of your mouth,

"Yes, chef." D'accord?

- Yes. Chef.
- Bon. Now, make it again.

(Jacques chuckling)

There are chefs and then there
are chefs, huh. He is neither.

But what do you expect
when he learned
from the worst chef here.

(laughing)

- Okay, that's it.

- Now, I've just heard
from Vivian that you've entered

into quite the little wager.
- Well, desperate times.

- Of course. But while
you're no doubt, highly skilled,

can anyone turn a one-star
grease pit

into a fine dining experience?
- Maybe not alone.

But I'm lucky that
the restaurant's talented owner,
Joe Paretti is working with me.

- Oh, please, I've read
the reviews. He sounds like
a boorish man.

- Well, I wouldn't be so sure.
People can surprise you.

(clattering, banging)

Um, I'm just... I'll just be...
just one second. One second.

(kitchen staff): Fight!
Fight! Fight!

- You're toast, buddy.
- It's pain, you moron.

- I know it's a pun.

- What's wrong with you two?

- Emma. I know this looks bad
but I just want to say,

he started it.
- He threw the celery at me.

- Don't care! Give me those.
This is a kitchen,

not a boxing ring.
Everyone get back to work!

- Your great teacher
is no friend of yours, hmm.

She's only trying to win a bet.

- We need a word, there, now.

What were you even thinking?
You're here as a guest.

As my guest. Do you know
how this makes me look?!

- He was insulting you,
what was I supposed to do,
just ignore him?

- Yes! Just ignore him.
Why do I even have to explain
that to you?

Your restaurant reopens
in three days.

Are you trying to sabotage us?
- Sabotage us?

Why don't you tell me
what you got on the line?

Is it your family business
on the line?

- Joe, I didn't mean it
like that.

- Or do you have
some kind of bet?

(sighing)

(solemn music)
- Okay. You're upset.

And I owe you an explanation.

I made a bet with my boss

that if I could turn around the
worst restaurant in the city,

I would get promoted
to executive chef.

- So, all that stuff that
you said about believing in me,

about wanting to save
the restaurant, was any of
that even true?

- Yes, of course.
You have to believe me, Joe.

I meant every word I said.

- Except for when you lied.

You know when my dad died...

I thought I'd spend
the rest of my life alone
in that restaurant.

That I'd be doomed to wake up
and go to work every day

and just watch the last thing
that I have from my old man

just... slip away.

And then you came along.

And you weren't just
a life line. You were so bright.

So stupidly bright that

all the darkness just went away.

And I began to think
that I could actually do this.

That I could actually be
something...

if I had you there with me.
- Joe.

- I wish I never met you, Emma.

(melancholy music)

- Please don't go.

(soft music)

- Did something happen between
you and Emma?

- She was using me, Manny.

She had this whole bet with
her boss

that she could turn around the
worst restaurant in the city.

- Your restaurant is the worst
restaurant in the city.

- That's not the point.

She lied to me just
to get a promotion at work.

- Joe, come here for a second.

Just a little bit more.
Tiny bit more.

- I don't like this.
- Snap out of it, man!

- What was that for?
- For being an idiot.

So what if Emma gets something
out of all of this.

Even Gordon Ramsay gets paid
for Kitchen Nightmares.

She made you a better person
and a better chef.

And she clearly cares about you
more than just a friend.

So don't be stupid.
Go, and get her back.

- Get her back?

Get her back?

- Joe, you're doing
the crazy eyes.

- That's your problem, Manny.
You think life is a movie.

But you're not Cary Grant,
you're not Clark Gable.

You're just some dude
who's scared to ask out
the girl he likes

because he's scared to find out
love isn't picture perfect.

So, don't stand there
and give me relationship advice

because you don't get it.
And you never did.

- You don't mean that.

- It's time to grow up, man.

I'm gonna sell the restaurant to
that real estate developer.

If I want to provide for my mom,
that's what I gotta do.

I'm done, man. I'm just...

I'm done.

- Yeah. Well,
I believe in you, Joe.

And I'm gonna be
at opening day tomorrow

whether you want me to or not.

You still have to pay for that!

(soft rock music)

(tearfully)
- Joe.

Please, can we talk about this?
It's just...

(line beeps)

Please don't push me away.

(♪)

- Oh, well, this is a surprise.

Wasn't that burger stand having
its grand reopening today?

- I don't know.
Joe won't talk to me.

- Well, that means
I've won our little bet.

By the end of the day,
you'll be demoted to commis chef

and Joe will have the honour of
getting the lowest score

that Ginny's ever given.

Oh, come now, dear.

There's no fun in gloating
if you're not gonna fight back.

- Why would I fight back?

I hurt him. I deserve this.

Um, I'm gonna put myself
on the brunch shift,

if that's okay.

- By all means. Go ahead.

- Mademoiselle Kane.
What is this?

- It's steak au poivre.
- I know what it is.

But why did you not
follow the recipe?

- Well, we ran out of brandy
so I had to think on my feet.

- No! There are no mistakes
in this kitchen.

You either follow the recipe
or you start over!

Now, throw this away and
make it again!

(sullen music)

- Hey, what's going on?
Why are you just standing
there like that?

- I think I'm having
a breakdown.

- Honey, put the dish down.

- No, I should throw it out.

- Put it down.

Now tell me,
what's really wrong?

- It's Joe.
He found out about the bet.

He won't talk to me.
I messed up. I really messed up.

- So what if you messed up?

Emma, you don't always have
to make everything perfect.

Life isn't perfect.
People aren't perfect.

It's okay to make mistakes.
That's normal.

- Wait. Love can be like
cooking.

- Um, sure, I guess.
- Yes, yes! Sarah, love can be
like cooking.

It can be messy and you can
make mistakes

and figure it out along the way!

You're right.
Take my service.

- What are you gonna do?
- I'm gonna fix this.

(lighthearted music)

- Emma! Where is the new order?

- Make it yourself, Jacques.

- You can't walk out
in the middle of a shift!

- You're right. I quit!
Bon courage!

- Mon Dieu.

(indistinct chatter)

- Emma, dear.
Where are you off to?

- I'm going to get Joe that
five-star review.

- Oh, you're still aiming
for that promotion, I see.

- Oh, no. No, no. It's not for
me. And the bet's off.

Oh! I almost forgot.
I quit!

(chuckling)

- Well done, Emma.

- Did you just get told off
in front of the whole kitchen?

Comment dit-on en français...

So embarrassing.

(with New York accent): You
better watch yourself,

Sarah. Because with Emma gone,
I'm your new boss.

And I'm gonna
make your life a living h...

- Jacques!

(tense music)

I was about to congratulate you
on the job,

seeing as Emma just quit.
I now see,

I need to replace two chefs
in this kitchen.

- Mademoiselle, s'il vous
plaît...

- Please. This is a restaurant,
not some off-Broadway theatre.

Take your fake French accent
and leave.

- Je n'y crois pas.

- Joe, come on. Open up.

Since when do you go anywhere?

Okay. Where are you?

Where... are you?

I'll deal with this later.

Okay.

(somber music)

If you won't save
this restaurant, I will.

Uh. Sure, fennel, zucchini.
Great. Um...

Knife. Knife, knife, knife.
Knife, knife...

(tense music)

Let's do this Goose.

(fast paced music)
Oh, God.

(clanking)

Hello.

- I figured
it was you who broke in.

- I'll repot it I promise.

- Don't bother, they're dead.

(sighing)

(somber music)

- Looking for these?

- Give me those.
- No.

- Emma, I need those papers.

- No! I won't let you sell
this restaurant.

(sighing)
I'm sorry, Joe.

I'm sorry that I lied to you.

I'm sorry that
I disappointed you,

I hurt you.

I'm not perfect.

I'm just a person
and I make mistakes.

And I want to better.
I want to change.

And you need to believe me.

Because I'm not giving up.

Not on this restaurant...

And not on us.

- I don't know if people can
change that easily.

- You're wrong.

And I'm gonna prove it.

(suspenseful music)
- The pickle...

- Two weeks ago, I would have
died before eating this.

- Emma, don't do this.

Your stomach has to build up
a very specific immunity

to eat a pickle that old.

We don't want anyone to get
hurt...

So why don't you just
put the pickle down...

Nice and slow. Okay?

- I'm not afraid of taking
risks.

I'm not the person I used to be.
- No, no n...

(crunching)

- Emma!
(choking)

(grunting)

(laughing)

- Do you believe me now?

(laughing)

(lighthearted music)

- I was the most pigheaded,
stubborn person in the world,
before I met you.

But you made me a better chef.

And a better person.

And if I can change, anyone can.

So, yeah. I believe you.

- Hey! Here comes the calvary.

- Manny! What are you doing
here?

- I told you I would be here
for the big day. And I meant it.

- Even after I said all of that
stupid stuff?

- When did you being an idiot
ever get in the way of us being
friends?

(laughing)
- You're lucky you have such
a good friend, Joey.

He sent a message out
to the family group chat

and we all decided to come over
and help.

- It's ride or die, cuz.

- Guys, I'm touched, really.
But we don't even have a menu.

- Hey, we'll improvise.
We'll run the restaurant exactly
like your dad did.

No fixed menu. People come in,

we tell them
what they're eating.

- You two focus on the kitchen.

Just do what you do best.
We'll handle the rest.

- So what do you say, Joe?

We doing this?

- We're doing this!
(cheering)

- Okay. We've got two hours.
We gotta move.

Let's go, let's go.

(upbeat music)

- Behind.
- Got you.

(♪)

(indistinct chatter)

(panting)
- We got customers.

Like, a lot of customers.
- Oh.

- Okay, we need a waiter.
- Hey, man. No one came dressed
for that kind of job.

- I have an extra blouse in
my bag but it's a woman's small.

- I don't like where
this is going.

- Alex, will you be my waiter?

- Get up, man.
(laughing)

- Is that a yes?
- Yes.

- He said yes!
- Yay!

- Also, Manny on front of the
house. And Mom and Paul on bar.

- Okay.
- You got it, chef.

- Chef. I like it.
Okay.

(both): Let's do it!

(upbeat music)

- Sorry, guys. We've got way
too many reservations.

- Hey, Joe said there was
regulars.

We can just put them in the
booth and call it VIP seating.

- Never mind. If you follow
my friend right here,

he'll get you seated.

(indistinct chatter)

- Wow, look who it is.
The Green Grocer strikes again.

- The Green Grocer?
I kinda like it.

It's like the lamest member
of the Avengers.

(giggling)
But what are you doing here?

And, how'd the lasagna go?

- You can ask my very discerning
aunt yourself.

Just be prepared for
not the nicest of answers.

- Hello. I'm the food critic.
Do we have a table?

- Yes. Yes, you do.
Right this way.

(tense music)

I don't know if now
is the appropriate time to ask

but do you think
I could grab your number?

If you have one.

- My number?

I thought you'd never ask.

Now, we better chase after
my aunt.

She'll dock your score
if she has to stand longer
than 40 seconds.

(lighthearted music)

- No menu?

Please tell me how exactly
does that work?

- The idea is simple.
You tell us a bit about
what you're craving,

along with any dietary
requirements and we tell you
what you're eating.

- I'll grant you,
that's a novel idea

but perhaps a bit too high
concept for a place like this.

- I think it's cool, Auntie.

It's like cooking for
your family.

They tell you what they feel
like and you try to match it.

- Well, let's just hope it's not
like your cooking, dear.

(quirky music)

- Uh, so, any dietary
restrictions?

- No dietary restrictions
for either of us. Thank you.

- I will eat whatever
Joe Paretti designs to serve me.

- Okay. That's easy.

- Can I have a Mimosa?
Bottomless, please.

(mellow music)

- What is it?

- Don't let the innocent look
fool you. She's terrifying.

- Who, the food critic?
- Yes, the food critic.

She said she'll eat whatever
you two serve her.
Just don't mess it up.

- Order up then.

- We got this.

- Hello again, Emma.

And this I presume is
the talented, Joe Paretti.

Emma has spoken quite highly
of you young man.

- I hope I don't disappoint.

(chuckling)
- Go on now.

Tell me what we're eating.

- We're starting with lobster
dumplings,

drizzled with a miso and
coriander sauce.

- Not exactly a standard flavour
combination

and certainly a far cry
from the Café d'Or.

- Sometimes, it's good
to take risks in the kitchen.

- On that count,
we seem to agree.

Now, moving on
to the main course.

- You have pan-fried trout,
topped with a marrow velouté

and a yuzu gel, alongside
a hasselback potato.

- That is a very
sophisticated dish.

- I learned from the best.

(chuckling)
- I would hope so.

(suspenseful music)

Normally, I don't eat with
an audience but I'll admit,

this isn't a normal review.

Mm.

Mm.

Mm, mm... mm.

- So, how many stars?!
- Paul!

(chuckling)

- Well, you'll have
to buy the Sunday Newspaper
to find out.

- Auntie! Sorry, she's joking.
She wouldn't be so rude.

Especially considering
I'm friends with the staff.
Would you?

- It seems I have to pick
between my professional
integrity and my niece.

And, of course, I pick Céline.

As for how I rate Joe's.
I award it...

Five stars!
(cheering, laughing)

- Thank you.

So, maybe you're not the worst
chef in town.

(laughing)

- I couldn't do this
without you. Really,

I think we make a good team.

You know, maybe you should
stick around.

Really do this together
as partners.

Fifty-Fifty. You and me.
What do you say?

(heartfelt music)

(cheering, applauding)

Subtitling: difuze