Speaking to Variety, Poulter was keen to stress just how much he loved the show, and how working on it was a dream come true for him — strong words from a man whose resume is as wide-ranging and successful as his. He appeared in episode four of season two (“Honeydew”), playing a chef based in Copenhagen, which is famously home to some of the best fine dining restaurants in the world like NOMA. Speaking about how he got the part on the show, he said:
“I called them. I literally begged to be in the show. I asked if I could meet with Chris Storer and basically communicated that I was such a fan of so much of his work, but especially The Bear. He was kind enough to gift me with the offer to play Luca and it really changed my life, to be honest. It kind of helped me realize a dream of playing a chef on TV. I have such an immense amount of respect for chefs and the women and men of that industry. I feel like the whole society stands on the shoulders of people in the food and beverage industry, and we don’t even necessarily really know it or think about it. They sustain us and maintain us daily and they don’t get enough thanks for what they do.”
This love of chefs is hardly a surprise as Poulter’s mother went to culinary school. In preparation for the role, he also took on work experience at three high-end London eateries: Black Axe Mangal, St. John, and Trullo. Although he’s certainly an excellent actor, it seems Poulter would have also thrived as a chef, which explains why his performance is so spellbinding. Speaking about his time in real kitchens, he said:
“I would honestly say that one of the days in particular that I had at Black Axe Mangal was maybe the most satisfying day of work I’ve ever had in my life, doing anything. I also want to say, I don’t think I’ve ever been more ed or felt more encouraged by production on any job, in of being given the tools and the opportunities to put your best foot forward and to be given the best chance of doing the best job possible.”
He also drew on the parallels between cooking and acting, especially with regard to the ion and drive needed to succeed in both, as well as the energy and emotion that both require to reach the top:
“You can’t do it in an emotionless way, I don’t think. There is a parallel between the world of cooking and the world of acting. You’re engaging in the senses, whether it’s taste, smell, sight, touch. All of these things are relevant to both acting and cooking.”
His performance in the episode certainly showcases a lot of heart and ion, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans of The Bear, who’ve been effusive about Poulter’s demeanor, looks, and brilliantly nuanced acting, which turned the episode into one of the highest rated in the season. Despite all the love he and the show have been receiving, Poulter was keen to stress that there are probably few people happier with the end product than him:
“I promise you this, no one has got more fanboy energy for the show than I do. I’m more excited about being on this show than anyone else, I can guarantee you that. It was like one of the best experiences of my life, if not the best work experience in my life,”
He also added that a few of the chefs that helped him to hone his character have reached out since the show aired with praise: “So I am I am aware of the show’s impact in that regard, and it’s lovely.” When asked if he would return to The Bear, his answer was an unequivocal yes. So, if you’re as much of a fan of Poulter as Luca as the actor is himself, you might just be in for a treat in a later season.
Published: Jun 30, 2023 06:29 am