Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Replacing Chef Chico is the latest Netflix Original, taking inspiration from Boiling Point and The Bear, whilst sprinkling in the usual tropes and ideas you’d expect to find in other Filipino dramas. The ensuing result is a lovely series that’s easy to watch and sports a solid storyline.
The series centers on Ella, a Sous Chef at the upmarket Hains restaurant. She plays second fiddle to Chico, a brilliant man who looks after his kitchen with an iron fist and meticulous amount of detail-orientated perfection. There’s clearly something brewing between Ella and Chico though, and midway through episode 1 we learn they actually happen to be involved in an affair.
However, when Chico ends up in a devastating car crash and is comatose, it falls to Ella to pick up the pieces and take over the restaurant.
From here, the show adopts an episodic structure. Each has a new customer show up at the restaurant, offering some sound life advice or simply reinforcing ideas or subplots that each of the different chefs carry with them across the 8 episodes.
These interweave around the main drama, which works two-fold. On the one hand, we have Ella’s aspirations to be the best Head Chef she can be and gain the respect from her peers. On the other hand, we have a growing love triangle with Chico, Ella and Raymond, a consultant who happens to become a big part of Hains – and Ella’s – future.
This continues through until around episode 5 or 6, where a big twist shakes the show up and adds in some spicy drama before the finale. The final episode does bow everything out with a decent conclusion, although there is definitely room for this one to grow should a second season be greenlit.
Aesthetically, Replacing Chef Chico looks good too. There’s plenty of close-up shots for different food, a whimsical classical soundtrack that underscores the whole cooking process, and lots of big themes about life, the importance of food and being true to oneself. All of this comes across beautifully into a delicious cocktail of influences.
Replacing Chef Chico is a compelling Filipino drama, one that may not push the boat out and deliver anything new but what it does cook up, is certainly tasty. There’s some good characters in here, a decent amount of drama and plenty of compelling life lessons.
Read More: Replacing Chef Chico Ending Explained
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Verdict - 7/10
7/10