Renowned chef and restaurateur Carmy Berzatto is leaving the culinary world due to severe burnout. After rising to fame at just 21 as a best new chef, Carmy quickly advanced his career, becoming an executive chef at a three Michelin-starred restaurant by 25. However, this meteoric rise has taken a toll on his mental health, with multiple breakdowns and a struggle to maintain a work-life balance.
Season two of The Bear saw Carmy’s exhaustion become increasingly apparent, but the signs were there all along. A conversation between Carmy and Luca in the Copenhagen episode hints at Carmy’s eventual departure from the industry. In the same episode, Luca shares that the most successful cooks have gotten out of the kitchen to experience life, a sentiment that resonates with Carmy.
Flashbacks from season two also reveal the true extent of Carmy and Luca’s history, showing how Luca came to realize he was ‘much, much better’ than his counterpart. This newfound understanding allowed Luca to build a healthy relationship with his work and personal life, ultimately learning to find joy in cooking without being consumed by anxiety.
Season three further reinforces this narrative, as Marcus serves as a foil to Carmy’s struggles with emotional fallout from losing his mother. In contrast, Luca channels his emotions into cooking, finding genuine passion and joy in his pastry work. Meanwhile, Carmy’s perfectionism and anxiety continue to plague him, culminating in a conversation with Chef Terry that hints at his departure.
The final episode of season four sees Carmy struggling to keep up with the pace, as Tina achieves the impossible by cooking a three-minute pasta dish. This moment serves as a turning point for Carmy, as he begins to acknowledge his limitations and the toll his job is taking on his health.
Carmy’s departure from The Bear marks a significant change for the restaurant, leaving fans wondering if Luca will take over or if it will be someone else entirely.
Source: https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a65286245/carmy-leaving-the-bear-season-5-luca