From the foodie fashion girlie to The Bear’s Carmy, we’ve all got the hots for chefs
With season two of The Bear’s release date fast approaching, it’s no wonder why the internet has been obsessing over the show’s protagonist, Carmy Berzatto, played by the newly-divorced Jeremy Allen White. We’re all so infatuated in fact that he’s become gen Z’s new internet boyfriend—time to move over, Timothée Chalamet.
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The show follows Chef Berzatto’s transition from the meticulous world of fine dining to take over his family’s Italian beef sandwich restaurant in Boston after his brother’s suicide. When our beloved Carmy gets there, the restaurant is in desperate need of a revamp and the series follows the blood, sweat and tears that go into running a kitchen—from wads of cash stashed in tomato cans to surprise visits from the IRS.
Berzatto has captured the hearts of gen Z with nothing but a pair of vintage Levi’s jeans and a plain white tee. Speaking to GQ, costume designer Courney Wheeler explained that “it was never the intention to be ‘stylish’ per se—a white tee, black Dickies, and Birks is a common look amongst chefs.” Carmy is a person who values excellence and timeless pieces—favouring items that possess longevity rather than looking for fits which reflect fleeting trends. And we’re so here for it.
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Boys seem to have it so easy when it comes to fashion. Something as simple as a white t-shirt and a good pair of jeans are easy to throw on and require little to zero thoughtful effort. But behind those two wardrobe staples, there’s years of experimentation and trialling different brands to find the perfect fit. Will it be regular or muscle fit? Will it be crew or V neck? One thing is for sure, once you find the perfect style it will be sexy as hell. Points will be docked for any spillage in the kitchen.
Berzatto’s basic wardrobe might steal the show but Ebon Moss-Bachrach also invested in his character Richie’s wardrobe. Richie tends to stick to Adidas high top trainers and his trusted thrifted Members Only jacket that fans are gagging to get their hands on. His style has been likened to that of IRL heartthorb Pete Davidson, another strong contender for the title of internet boyfriend.
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It’s not just Berzatto’s looks that have us weak at the knees, there’s something about him that goes beyond just the clothes he wears. His collection of tattoos and tousled hair adds to his tortured yet irresistible charm.
Chefs are definitely having a bit of a moment on social media, we can’t help but lust over their chiselled looks and mouth-watering grub. Who wouldn’t want to come home to a nice boy wining and dining you every evening, right? At the prospect of such a nice setting, anyone would ignore the fact that they’re all in love with their work and emotionally unavailable.
And it’s not just fiction that’s proving this, Dua Lipa’s ex-boyfriend, British chef Isaac Carew, might have inspired her breakup anthem ‘New Rules’ but he sure serves up some gorgeous food, and looks good doing it. Even Below Deck’s controversial Ben Robinson has us in stitches with his galley antics and witty charm.
Meanwhile, nepo baby Brooklyn Beckham also tried to enter the culinary world but ended up unsurprisingly giving everyone the ick. Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade and not cook pasta for your lactose intolerant wife in a wheel of cheese, just a thought.
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Our top contender for real-life chef boyfriend that isn’t trapped in the fictional universe hs to be Mob’s very own Ben Lebus. Lebus and the team at Mob single-handedly got us through lockdown with their perfectly seasoned recipes and droolworthy Instagram feed that somehow always manage to get us excited about making a mess in the kitchen. Seriously, check out Mob’s TikTok, it’s a heavenly place.
@mob Chicken skin is the secret ingredient. Recipe through the link in bio #recipe #chicken #sandwhichtiktok
♬ original sound - Mob
Historically, food and fashion were unlikely to join forces as models shared ‘What I eat in a day videos’ that walked us through ridiculous diets which consisted mostly of rabbit food, all in order to fit the fashion industry’s skinny, white and blonde problematic ideal of beauty standards. Who could forget Bella and Gigi Hadid’s infamous mother Yolanda who practically single-handedly reignited the rise of the ‘almond mum] on TikTok after raising her model offspring on a trauma-inducing diet?
In 2023, however, for every chef boyfriend, there’s an equally as cooking-obsessed foodie fashion girlie. Nowadays, it’s not only considered cool to fill yourself with delicious snacks and cook up a storm in the kitchen, it’s finally being encouraged. It’s about damn time.
@gabbriettebb Recipe on IG!!!!! @ Gabbriette
♬ Konichiwa - Donny Benét
Model and hot girl chef Gabbriette Bechtel is constantly sharing cooking videos to her socials, and no, they’re not just about eating healthily but rather about enjoying what you eat. If she’s not frosting a Mugler-inspired three tier chocolate cake she’s walking the runway for Diesel and Balenciaga to name a few. Could a potential cameo in The Bear be on the cards? We certainly hope so.
So as we prepare to sink our teeth into the much anticipated season two of The Bear, we’ll also start plotting how we’re going to find a real-life chef to fall in love with this summer. Until then, imaginary scenarios with Carmy and his dirty white tees will have to do because one thing is for sure: a chef is best served piping hot.
