Unveiling the Bear's Secret Sous Chef: A Hilariously Ironic Supporting Character Exposed!

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for season 2 of The Bear!

Season 2 of The Bear sees the return of several cast members from season 1, including a real-life chef who adds a hilarious twist. Like its predecessor, set in Chicago, season 2 explores how Carmy and the crew have managed to overcome their financial troubles by discovering Mikey's hidden stash in the season 1 finale. However, as they strive to open a new restaurant, they are faced with even greater obstacles and higher stakes. Alongside the challenges and struggles of Carmy, Sydney, and their team, season 2 of The Bear also includes surprising cameo appearances.

The Bear's Fak Actor Matty Matheson Is A Real Professional Chef

In season 2, The Bear features a special appearance by real-life chef Donnie Madia, who portrays himself in the series and briefly serves as a mentor to Sydney. Donnie guides her in successfully leading the kitchen brigade at The Bear restaurant. Additionally, Matty Matheson, a real chef, portrays the recurring character Neil Fak in seasons 1 and 2 of The Bear. Like the main Berzatto family characters, Matty Matheson has a culinary background.

Matheson's grandfather was the owner and operator of DeSable's The Blue Goose restaurant, where Matheson initially gained his culinary experience. In 2000, The Bear star relocated to Canada and enrolled in the cooking program at Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning. Although he decided to leave the program shortly after, Matheson continued his culinary journey by working alongside esteemed chefs such as Rang Nguyen and at reputable Canadian establishments like Le Sélect Bistro and La Palette.

Fak Is Ironically The Only Main Employee At The Bear Who Is Never Seen Cooking

Prior to his portrayal of Fak in The Bear, Matt Matheson first gained recognition through his appearances on Viceland's It's Suppertime and Dead Set on Life. In addition, he had the honor of being a guest on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Interestingly, despite his extensive experience as a professional chef, Matheson never finds himself in the kitchen throughout the two-season duration of The Bear. This irony is amplified by the fact that, in the second season, Matheson's character assumes the role of a handyman, while all the other main staff members of the show's central restaurant can be observed cooking despite being actors without professional culinary backgrounds.

Richie and Sugar, who work as front-desk employees at Carmy and Sydney's The Bear restaurant, surprisingly find themselves cooking at some point in the series. However, the character of Matty Matheson's Fak stands out as the only one who never participates in the culinary world. This contrast appears intentional, underscoring how The Bear utilizes its storyline to delve into the essence of the human condition, using cooking as a mere narrative device. It is worth mentioning that, aside from his portrayal of Neil Fak, Matty Matheson also serves as the co-producer of The Bear and played a crucial role in enhancing the authenticity of the show's culinary elements.