Love Served Here (2023)

[bunniefuu]

(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 Caf d'Or, Manny.

- What's wrong with Caf 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 souffl

ressemble une crpe.

- Non. If you're going to speak

French, speak it correctly.

Parce que votre souffl

ressemble...

- Parce que vtre souffl

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 plat.

(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 ba*ls?

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 Caf 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 Cline,

nice to meet you.

And you are...?

- Manny. Manny Magaa.

- 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 st*lks

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 problme, 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.

- coute, ma chrie.

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 Caf 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 Caf 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

Cline.

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

Cline,

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 k*lled 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 franais...

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

plat...

- 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 Caf 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 velout

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 Cline.

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)