The film, delightfully directed by Daniel Cohen from a screenplay that he wrote with Olivier Dazat, at once celebrates and satirizes the French preoccupation with food. Celebrity cooking shows also are kidded, all in good fun. (It is not to be confused with the American film called “Chef.”)

Michaël Youn is pleasingly comic as Jacky, a chef who aspires to greatness but can’t hold a job because he wants to serve sophisticated concoctions to patrons who just want frites. His troubled trail eventually leads to employment by the ever wonderful and seasoned actor Jean Reno as one of France’s top chefs, Alexandre Lagarde, who has his own problems.

The CEO of the group that owns the celebrated restaurant under his reign wants to cut costs and introduce so-called trendy molecular cuisine. In a hilarious scene Alexandre and Jacky disguise themselves as Japanese tourists to spy at a rival restaurant.

There are romantic complications. Jacky’s girlfriend Beatrice, appealingly portrayed by Raphaële Agogue, is pregnant and impatient with his inability to find steady work. He has to lie to her to keep up the relationship. But, of course, we know that romance will ultimately triumph and, as an added boon, Alexandre will wind up with an opportunity for romance and a new future.

Those who enjoy the world of haute-cuisine should enjoy the shots of preparations of an assortment of dishes, as well as the moments when things go wrong. The film revels in food, food, food.

“Le Chef” also never misses a chance for comedy. A TV cooking show that spoofs the popularity of such programs unfolds with the Eiffel Tower in the background, at the same time moving the plot along. An excellent supporting cast helps throughout,