Replacing Chef Chico is a romantic drama about the high-pressure world of high-end cooking. The series was created by Antoinette Jadaone and stars Alessandra de Rossi, who plays Ella in the culinary drama. The show is the first Filipino-produced Netflix original and is directed by Dan Villegas.
Cooking and TV have a long relationship, and when it is done properly, the pressure and beauty of creating food, coupled with drama and a strong narrative, can be a winning formula. Shows such as The Bear and Whites spring to mind, but the fascination with cooking also extends to reality shows such as the stressful Gordon Ramsay-led Hell’s Kitchen and the gentler intonations of Bake Off, and it seems that as far as cooking goes, there is an audience out there that just eats this stuff up.
What is Replacing Chef Chico about?
Replacing Chef Chico follows Ella, a talented and passionate chef, in love with the head chef at the Hain fine dining restaurant. But the situation is complicated as Choci is already in a relationship, and is making plans to finish it so he can be with Ella.
The restaurant is not doing as well as it should, and tragedy strikes when Chico ends up in an accident that leaves him in a coma. With the business on the brink of disaster, Ella has to step up to the plate and become head chef, but working with consultant Raymond leads to friction, as does her new position within the business, with the other employees proving difficult to work with, and tensions and rivalry at a boiling point. However, Ella is strong-minded and focused on keeping the establishment alive, and she will do anything to win over Raymond and the staff while making a decision about her relationship with Chico.
RELATED: Where was Replacing Chef Chico filmed?
The official Netflix logline is simply:
When a head chef falls into a coma, it’s up to his devoted sous-chef to keep their Filipino fine dining restaurant from closing down.
How did critics and audiences react to Replacing Chef Chico?
Digital Mafia Talkies says that the Netflix show is “well seasoned”. Midgard Times states that the show is perfect for people looking for “something light to watch this weekend”.
IMDb has the rating at the time of writing at an impressive 7.5/10, with some users of that site praising the show and praising the food on display too.
Fans on X, formerly Twitter, have been vocal about the show too:
OK but besides the plot, watch Replacing Chef Chico for the glorious display of Filipino cuisine. pic.twitter.com/tiMh2ZsoY1
— Shayne (@shaynenuesca) November 24, 2023
I’m currently watching Replacing Chef Chico and it’s so beautiful to say the least. We need more Filipino dramas like this.
— Pao. (@incurative) November 25, 2023
Just breezed through Netflix’s #ReplacingChefChico and it was an enjoyable, rather heartfelt ride. one of the best this year.
Poignant and celebrates Filipino culture in such a way that is relatable. Also the feature on our culinary history is one that will bring so much… pic.twitter.com/yuEGi7jm33
— Amber ?? (@AltheyuhMoves) November 27, 2023
Replacing Chef Chico Cast
Here is a list of the cast from the show.
- Alessandra de Rossi as Ella
- Piolo Pascual as Raymond
- Sam Milby as Chef Chico
- Joel Saracho as Carlon
- Yesh Burce as Wena
- Angie Castrence as Ditas
- Paulo Angeles as Juancho
- DMs Boongaling as Rye
