Yes, chefs! If season 2 of The Bear was hailed for the huge stack of celebrity cameos, then season 3 would be celebrated for the astounding amount of celebrity chef cameos.
The Bear is a true love letter to the culinary world and fine dining. Not to mention, it takes place in one of the most riveting cuisine-driven cities in the world: Chicago. (Chicago is also home to the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award ceremonies.) Despite the heavy stress and tension between everyone on staff at The Beef and The Bear, there are so many poignant moments that feature luscious food tours and heart-to-heart chef talks. The show isn’t afraid to put real-life chefs who are all experts in their fields in front of the camera with realistic dialogue and direction.
Related: All The Bear Guest Stars—From Jamie Lee Curtis to Will Poulter—Ranked
So when a very important restaurant in The Bear‘s world closes unexpectedly, casting director Jeanie Bacharach rounded up many chefs across the world and those who have deep roots in Chicago to make a special appearance.
S ix-time James Beard award winner Grant Achatz made a valuable toast at the funeral dinner for Chef Terry’s restaurant. His path is similar to Carmy’s as he trained under Keller in The French Laundry and is now head chef at Chicago three-Michelin-star restaurant Alinea.
Six-time James Beard Foundation Award winner Daniel Boulud makes a cameo in season 3 episode one of The Bear. The chef mentors Carmy at his Michelin 2-star restaurant DANIEL during his tumultuous time in New York City.
René Redezepi makes a celeb chef cameo in season 3, episode 1 of The Bear. Carmy worked at noma in Copenhagen and is seen harvesting several different flora. noma is three-Michelin-star restaurant, named one of the best restaurants in the world, and is highly acclaimed for its use of hyper-local ingredients and innovative cuisine.
Thomas Keller, chef and owner of The French Laundry in Napa Valley, California, appears in a flashback and teaches Carmy to remove a wishbone from a chicken at his time training in the restaurant. The French Laundry is a legendary California staple and earned three Michelin stars.
wd~50 alum Wylie Dufresne makes an appearance at the end of the season at the funeral dinner for Ever. he currently co-owns and runs Stretch Pizza
New York City-based three-time James Beard Award restauranteur Will Guidara makes an appearance at Ever’s funeral service dinner. He co-founded the Make It Nice hospitality group, which owns and operates Eleven Madison Park and NoMad New York.
Chicago native chef Rosio Sanchez makes an appearance at the last episode of season 3 during the funeral dinner service. She worked at wd~50 and served as the pastry chef at noma. She founded Hija de Sanchez, a taqueria, and her own restaurant Sanchez Cantina.
Malcolm Livingston II was the pastry chef at three-Michelin-star restaurant noma and appeared at the funeral dinner service at Chef Terry’s restaurant. Livingston’s story as a young chef from the Bronx actually inspired Marcus’ character arc.
Sandwich mogul Paul “Uncle Paulie” James comes to the rescue at The Beef sandwich window. The chef opened Uncle Paulie’s Deli in Los Angeles.
Milk Bar founder and chef Christina Tosi makes an appearance at Chef Terry’s funeral dinner saying: “The greatest mistake is working for a bad boss, such that what it unlocks in you is the culture you choose to create.”
Restaurateur Kevin Boehm is seen talking with Carmy during Chef Terry’s funeral dinner. He is the co-founder and co-owner of Boka Restaurant Group.
Chicago’s Kasama co-owner Genie Kwon talks about the trials and tribulations of working in the business during Ever’s funeral dinner. Kasama is the first Filipino restaurant in the US to receive a Michelin star.
The great chef and innovator of the world-famous Nobu restaurants, Nobu Matsuhisa, doesn’t make a real-life appearance in the show. He’s seen in a picture in one of Carmy’s diaries when Marcus asks who the chefs in the picture are. The Japanese chef is seen smiling alongside Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller.
David Posey, owner of one-star Michelin Guide restaurant Elske, talks to Syd about The Bear in season 2. Posey and his team actually helped Ayo Edebiri with her chef skills for the show. “I’m very grateful for them,” she told POPSUGAR. “Elske in Chicago saved my life [and] made me look not completely fake.”
Dylan Patel who’s the Chef Du Cuisine at Avec was seen giving a rundown of the restaurant schedule when Syd was having her restaurant tour in season 2.
Restauranteur Donnie Madia helps Sydney with advice in season 2 of The Bear. Madia, who runs One Off Hospitality, was awarded Outstanding Restaurateur in 2015 by the James Beard Foundation.
The famous acclaimed chef and butcher at Publican Quality Meats in Chicago helps Syd pick out a cut of meat in her wondrous Chicago restaurant tour.
Anna Posey, executive pastry chef of Elske, appears at the funeral dinner for Chef Terry’s restaurant.
