The Bear, its Chefs & the American Innovation Kitchen

The last day of the official summer season summons a lighter article.

My Instagram followers would know I am a big fan of Better Call Saul. It satirically showcased the rather dark inner workings of the American legal system. And then came the Bear with its Chefs and kitchens…

There are many reasons I worship the Bear, but mostly because it is reminiscent of the relentless inner workings of the American entrepreneurial engine. Yes, the Christmas episode is worth the watch because of the intimate close-ups and emotional built-up around the very dysfunctional family dinner (S2 / E6); or the episode in which Carmy’s sister gives herself up to epidurals after some resistance in the hospital with her crazy mom (S3 / E8) is hilarious; how Carmy falls for Claire and then pushes her away is also masterfully romanticized (S2 / E2). Many other instances make the Bear a fascinating watch imho. And yet, I cherish the show because it brings all the ingredients of the American creative flavor and flair for innovation to the fore.

The ingredients of abundance of talent (Tina’s journey that led her to Carmy’s brother in S3 / E6), relentless iteration (Carmy’s ever-changing recipes and kitchen routines), tenacious working culture (staff not yielding and even adapting to the constant kitchen yelling & shouting and communication breakdowns), and everyday inspiration / innovation (Marcus’ evolution as pastry-chef in S2 / E4) can be depicted in every episode. This is not to say that the outcomes are always tasty. The dishes being served leave a lot to be desired. But the layering of their ingredients is rather unique. Put differently, the velocity and quality with which these ingredients are being tested and served are unparalleled….

One can argue that the Chefs are training in Copenhagen or getting inspired by French chefs; indeed they are but their ingredients are concatenated in the American "kitchen" which values talent, iteration, tenacity, and innovation like no other kitchen / ecosystem in the world.?

That is why we at ComposeVC have focused on the US ecosystem since our inception.?We will continue to look for 'Carmys' and support them in the best way we know how.

-- Happy watching, recipe’ing, building & investing --