Replacing Chef Chico (2023) s01e08 Episode Script

["Till The Morning Comes"
by Leanne & Naara playing]
[inaudible singing]
[cell phone chimes]
WENA
SIS. WHAT HAPPENED?
CHEF DEAR, YOU AREN'T COMING BACK?
HEY, CHEF. HEARD THE NEWS.
HOPE YOU'RE ALL RIGHT.
[Chico] Table 7.
Prep two appetizers, vegan!
[chefs] Yes, Chef!
- [Chico] Are you fucking kidding me?
- [Diego] Sorry, Chef.
- It's fucking dry!
- [Diego] Sorry, Chef.
- Unbelievable!
- Sorry, Chef.
["Till The Morning Comes"
continues playing]
Ella! Ella!
It's fucking raw!
Did you even brine this, huh?
Am I the only one
who knows how to fucking cook here?
Chef, we have guests
looking for Chef Ella.
They said they read the review.
[shouts]
Shut the fuck up!
Everybody out!
- I said get the fuck out! Now!
- [clattering]
- [grunts]
- [plate shatters]
[Raymond] Breakfast at 7 p.m.?
Yes, because I can.
Is this all for us?
Are you going to complain?
It's not cost-efficient?
Ask the rate I paid for the ingredients?
Let me just remind you that
I'm not head chef
and you're not my consultant.
So what am I to you?
That.
Do it again.
Ordering me around again?
Bad news, we're no longer at Hain.
Good news, we're no longer at Hain. Ready?
For what?
It is official and final.
My job offer to manage a restaurant
in Singapore is a done deal.
And you're part of it.
[soft music playing]
So they agreed?
Yes, they've agreed to allow me
to pick my own head chef.
Surprise, I choose you.
[soft classical music playing]
Hi! Yeah, we have a reservation
at 7:30 p.m.
Welcome. Good evening, ma'am, sir.
The restaurant had to close down
early tonight, so I have to apologize.
There was an unfortunate emergency
in the kitchen.
All reservations are canceled for tonight.
[female guest] What? You're kidding me!
Unacceptable! Let's go, hon.
I really am sorry.
[sighs]
Now what?
Well, I thought
our kitchen couldn't get any worse.
What about us getting back Chef Ella?
She has peace and balance in her life now.
She won't come back.
I just wish I had a backup plan.
I would've quit with Ella.
As much as I'd like to quit,
I'm in the same boat as you,
with no plan B.
Now what?
Are we gonna wait for the demise of Hain?
I used to do consultancy
in her other food businesses.
Now she wants to have
a restaurant in Singapore.
Three years of back and forth.
Months and months of interviews
with her partners, her board.
And then dead silence.
Wouldn't return my calls.
Wouldn't reply to my emails.
You want to know what clinched the deal?
Or should I say "who"?
[soft chuckle]
You.
- Me?
- Asia's Best of the Best.
Honorable mention.
That compelling Hain review-turned-profile
on the Philippines'
most exciting head chef today.
You think I can handle it, Raymond?
Hain is my comfort zone.
The Philippines
is different than Singapore.
Singapore is home
to many Michelin-star chefs.
It's a culinary haven.
That's why you belong there.
[breathes deeply]
There are many opportunities for us there.
Ella, this is your biggest break.
This is my biggest break as well.
But compared to them, I don't know.
I was sous chef a month ago.
I was only head chef in the first place
because I was temporarily replacing Chico.
[sighs]
Why do you keep doubting yourself?
You have the talent.
You put your heart
into everything that you do,
and that translates to your food.
What it comes down to is heart, Ella.
[crickets chirping]
PDR, prep four appetizers!
Chef, sorry.
Our guests canceled their reservation.
What the fuck is happening?
Ell Carlon.
Yes, Chef?
Uh, also, Chef,
someone would like to talk to you.
I'm not talking
to any guests tonight, okay?
And why did they cancel
last-second like that?
It's disrespectful.
Chef, they insisted that you come out.
I'm not talking to any guests.
It's not just any regular guest, Chef.
It's your mom.
- [chefs] Good evening, ma'am.
- Good evening.
Mom, you're here.
I think you need me.
Walk with me?
- Mom, I can't just
- Let's go.
[door opens]
Remember when we were starting
to establish Hain?
We had a vision.
Yeah, we thought it was going to be the
the best Filipino restaurant
in the Philippines.
Mm. Best of the best.
I failed you, Ma.
I failed Dad.
[sighs]
I'm the only one of your sons
who became a failure.
No.
- No, Mom, I did. I failed you, Ma.
- You didn't.
I failed Hain, Dad, I
[pensive music playing]
I'm sorry I failed Dad.
Let me take care of Dad, okay?
And
I'm sorry
that he's been treating you this way.
But I promise you.
I won't allow him
to treat you like that anymore.
And Hain is fine.
It's exactly what I want it to be.
What?
Hain isn't perfect.
But it's not a failure.
It needs help,
and I wish I could help you,
that your Dad and brothers could help you,
but we can't.
It needs help from other people.
It needs to breathe.
It needs to help itself too.
What do you mean?
[soft music playing]
You
are my Hain.
So
relax.
Take a break.
Breathe.
Ask for help.
I'm here for you always.
[sniffles]
Okay?
[Chico] Thank you, Mom. Thank you.
[sniffles]
[Rye] Chef, you're still here?
I forgot my charger.
Want me to make you a drink, Chef?
Another whiskey.
[tapping on bottle]
[rattling]
I said I just want whiskey, okay?
[rattling continues]
Try it first, Chef.
I call it "Dream."
It's an original recipe.
Should I be looking for a new job, Chef?
What?
The rumor in the kitchen is
we're gonna close.
People say your dad wants to pull out.
So, everybody's panicking.
It'll be okay.
Chef.
I have three kids at home.
I'm the breadwinner of the family.
And then there's Ditas, a single mom.
Her two children still live with her,
they both have kids of their own.
We don't know what we'd do
if Hain doesn't keep its doors open.
To you and your family,
Hain is just a business.
This place
is what keeps our families going.
I'm going to save Hain.
[knocking on door]
[Ella] Hi.
Oh.
Chico.
Come in.
[utensils clink]
You're still cooking.
[Ella] I really don't know anything else.
Here, let me let me help you.
[Ella] Hmm? No, I'll do it.
Let me. Let me. Thank you. I'll do it.
So you don't want to see me cook?
No, no, I still want you to cook.
Just not in my kitchen.
[rasping]
Ella, I'm sorry.
Is there anything else you want?
To ask for a second chance.
I don't think I can give you that.
[somber music playing]
[rasping continues]
I know.
What about Hain?
Hain is asking for a second chance.
I don't want to be Hain's sous chef again.
Then be its head chef.
[mellow music playing]
Ella, I know.
I was an asshole.
I'm really sorry.
I can't undo
the things that I said and did.
And the best thing
I can do right now is to
is to quit.
I'm stepping down.
For once in my life
I'm going to do the right thing.
Look, Ella, I love Hain.
I know you do too.
I can't save it now.
You can.
["Di Na Babalik"
by Leanne & Naara playing]
[music fades]
[knocking on door]
- [Ella] Hi.
- Hi.
I saw Chico.
[Ella sighs]
He's asking for a second chance for Hain.
- It's too late.
- Yeah.
We already have our tickets.
And they wanted to meet us
when we get to Singapore,
so we can finally sign our contracts.
And they're also throwing us
a small welcome party.
Fast.
[Raymond] "Fast"?
All my hard work for 15 years
has led me here.
Imagine.
I finally got an offer to manage
an international restaurant.
This is it, Ella.
Our biggest dreams are coming true.
[gentle music playing]
[Raymond] Happy?
[Ella] Mm-hmm.
[Rye] Chef, where are we at
on those pork lungs?
Handle it, please, Rye.
Did you find the heart for the bopis?
Check in the freezer. Maybe it's there.
[Rye] Go on, check it.
You got it, Chef?
[indistinct chatter]
What about the bopis?
[chef] Order up! Table 2.
We can't make the dish
because it's so hard.
- The guests have been waiting.
- [tense music playing]
[Carlon] It's not my fault.
I'm not the head chef here!
Now I'm getting stressed!
[Ditas] This is crazy!
The pressure is just too much!
- Come on, they want their dinner
- [Carlon] What do you expect me to do?
Is there a problem?
- [chefs] Chef!
- [Ditas] Chef Love!
I'm back but just for one night,
I'll be your head chef. Game?
[chefs] Yes, Chef!
Okay, Wena,
quick recap of our guests for tonight.
[Wena] Okay, um
We have Mrs. Belen and Mr. Roberto,
both in their seventies,
and they are celebrating
their 50th anniversary.
Oh, wow. Sweet.
Actually, um, it would be very sweet,
but they're announcing something
- to their kids
- And their grandchildren.
- that they are going to separate.
- Oh.
Yes, and their special request is bopis.
They said that's how they made
their family fortune.
They would make and sell bopis.
So nothing fancy, just the Pinoy
traditional bopis. That was all.
Okay, perfect. That's easy.
The pig lungs have already
been boiled then, I assume?
- Yes, Chef.
- [Ella] And the heart?
We can't find it, Chef.
Hmm?
No heart?
[male guest] Happy anniversary, Mom, Dad.
You're an inspirational couple.
Hey, I told you about how you were
an example in Junior's class, right?
Your inspiring love story
from being bopis vendors
to having different businesses now.
It's great.
My children.
We have something
we've been meaning to tell you.
Hopefully, it comes as no surprise.
Grandma? Grandpa?
Is one of you sick?
Is this about the meeting you had
with Dr. Gonzales?
Ah, no.
Your mother and I are stronger
than a pair of carabaos.
So, what is this really about then?
Let's talk about it over bopis, okay?
[exhilarating music playing]
Are you sure it was delivered?
[Carlon] Yes, Chef. We just can't find it.
Is it in the garbage?
Chef, I remember
putting it in there, I swear.
[Ella] Then how is it missing?
[Rod] Uh, Chef, should I put this here?
Yes, thank you.
- Ella. So?
- Yes?
Just for one night.
'Cause they don't have a head chef
without Chico.
[exhilarating music playing]
- Just to be clear
- [Carlon] We're gonna serve the bopis
- even if there's no heart?
- Singapore is still a go, right?
Yes. Hold on.
Chef Carlon, how about
using pork liver instead,
as a substitute, I don't know.
- Yes, Chef!
- Let's go, guys! We can do it! Let's go!
- [Ella chuckles]
- [chefs] Yes, Chef!
- Ella.
- Yes?
- You haven't answered the question.
- What? What question?
About Singapore. Ella
[Rye] Chef, should I add
the fish sauce and annatto oil?
- [Ella] How much are you putting in?
- A tablespoon, Chef.
- Of each? Yes, go ahead. Let me see.
- Chef?
- [Ella] Yes?
- How close is the bopis?
Uh, three minutes. How are the guests?
The family is just waiting
for their dinner.
It's coming, uh Let's just serve it
Are you sure you want to serve it
without a heart?
I mean, yeah, we have to.
I'll just explain what happened.
Copy, Chef. I'll let them know.
Three minutes.
- [Ella] Yeah.
- You still haven't answered the question.
Which one? About Singapore?
Yes, we're going! We're going!
Sorry, I'm super stressed out right now.
I apologize.
[Carlon]
Chef, it looks like the bopis is ready.
- Okay. Wait, let me check.
- Yes, Chef.
[Carlon] It's as good as we can do.
[Ella] Here.
Hmm
It's good. Plate it up.
[jazz music playing]
After 50 long years,
your mother and I are separating.
But it's not because we were bickering.
It was a mutual, amicable decision.
Mom, Dad, you're both
in your seventies, for God's sake
Who cares?
Is there an age limit for separation?
- Good evening.
- Oh.
Mr. and Mrs. Ramos.
Well, apparently, they're no longer
Mr. and Mrs. Ramos.
They're getting a divorce.
Annulment, Oday.
We don't have divorce in the Philippines.
[Belen] Oh.
Chef, is this the bopis you made?
Yes, well, I'm Ella. I'm the he
I'm your chef for this evening.
[Ella] Here at Hain,
we will not only prepare food,
but food based on your story.
And this is the story of Mr. and Mrs
Uh, well, whatever
your preferred last name is, ma'am.
We made our own version
of the bopis that you requested.
The unique thing
about this bopis tonight is
[clears throat]
Thank you, Chef Ella. It looks incredible.
[Belen chuckles]
[Belen] Hmm
Chef.
I think there's something missing.
Have you really thought this through?
Grandma!
Did you think
about what our family friends will say?
Why is that important to you?
[sighs]
What do you think, Roberto?
It's impressive, but
it's missing something.
Sorry, ma'am.
[oil sizzling]
They could tell
- something was missing.
- [Carlon] Hmm.
That's all right.
As long as we did our best.
[Diego] We'll nail it next time, Chef.
Chef? Will there be a next time?
I'll leave soon with Raymond
for Singapore.
We will be establishing
a restaurant there.
[chefs murmuring]
["Evergreen" by Leanne & Naara playing]
[Rye] Oh, Ella's last night as our chef.
- That deserves a toast.
- [Ella] Oh.
- [Rye] Go get a glass.
- [Carlon] Let's toast our chef.
- Toast time!
- Just a little.
We still have lots of work tonight.
- [Carlon] Just a little.
- Just a little, Chef.
- I want a glass.
- Chef.
- [Rye] Does everyone have one?
- [all] Yes!
To Chef Ella.
[all] Chef Ella!
To Hain.
[all] To Hain!
Cheers!
[laughter]
[Wena] Aw, I'm crying now.
[chefs murmuring]
[Ella] Ma'am?
Have you been waiting long?
Not really. I was just waiting to see you.
I see.
I'd like to apologize again
for your dinner.
Oh, it's really okay.
Your bopis is still delicious
even with something missing.
[both chuckle]
Sorry for being so honest.
It's just I have
very high expectations of you,
because Concha recommended you, Chef.
- Oh, you know Ms. Concha?
- Yes.
And she had
very, very beautiful stories about you.
How is she doing?
I hope she and her children
are patching things up.
Oh! Slowly. The last time I heard,
they vacationed in Hong Kong
with her kids, yeah.
Well, I'm sorry your kids didn't react
the way you'd hoped.
Oh. I'm not sorry about it.
I'm too old to give a damn.
I'm done being a mother,
done being a wife.
I'm looking forward
- to living on my own now.
- [Ella chuckles softly]
Live life to the fullest! Yeah?
Some advice, Chef. Don't wait, huh?
Live the way you want to.
Okay, I better get going.
- Let me help you.
- Phew.
Oh, okay. Okay.
So, next time,
the missing heart, it will be there?
- Promise.
- [both chuckle]
- Take care. Okay.
- Thank you and sorry again.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Sorry about earlier.
- Don't.
Yeah. I should apologize.
I was pestering you
in a stressful situation.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
So, you sure you wanna leave Hain?
It's gonna be your biggest break,
and and also my biggest break.
[sighs]
But is it what you want?
- Maybe.
- [soft chuckle]
That's not the right answer.
Raymond, I'll be the head chef
of a restaurant in Singapore
and with the one I love.
What else can I ask for?
But something is missing.
[inhales deeply]
You haven't fully decided.
You're hesitating because you
you really love this kitchen so much.
- I'm sorry.
- No, don't be.
It's my fault too.
I didn't ask if this is what you wanted.
I just assumed you wanted it.
[somber music playing]
Anyway, I'm gonna give you time to
decide and think for yourself, okay?
Thank you.
I'll see you later.
[pensive music playing]
[woman over PA] We are now inviting
all passengers traveling to Singapore
[indistinct chatter]
make sure you have your boarding pass
and passport ready for checking
[gentle music playing]
[breathes deeply]
[woman over PA]
Again, we are now inviting all passengers
[indistinct chatter]
[busy tone]
Raymond.
Hello, good morning to all of you.
I am Chef Carlon.
And I would like to welcome
all of our new line cooks and interns.
- [chuckles]
- [overlapping chatter]
It's a pleasure to have you
with us at Hain.
[indistinct public announcement]
["Evergreen" by Leanne & Naara playing]
I'm I'm sorry.
[indistinct public announcement]
And please remember.
There's one extremely important rule
in this kitchen.
Always put your heart into it.
Every time we cook something,
we do it with love.
Corny and cheesy, right?
But that's how we do it here at Hain.
Am I right, Chef Carlon?
Yes, Chef!
[chefs] Welcome back, Chef Ella!
[all cheering, laughing]
- [Ella] Aw!
- [chef] Ella's back!
You came back! I'm so happy!
You know I couldn't stay away!
[chefs cheering]
Group hug.
["Evergreen" by Leanne & Naara playing]
- [Ivan] Passing!
- [Ditas] Watch it!
[Ivan] Chef.
[Ella] Okay.
- [bell dings]
- Service!
Table 5, two lumpiang sisig!
[chefs] Yes, Chef!
[Ella] Good evening, sir, ma'am.
Thank you very much for attending
the re-opening of Hain.
Please follow me.
[Ella] Here at Hain,
we don't merely prepare food.
We prepare food based on your story.
But tonight, allow me
to share with you our story,
the story of our heart.
Welcome to Hain.
For our starter tonight, we have
our lumpiang sisig made with quail eggs.
And my name is Ella,
the head chef of Hain.
[music fades]
["Unan" by Leanne & Naara playing]