Jeremy Allen White is in the middle of a barnstorming media tour in Chicago and basking in the glory of an early renewal for a second season of the show that’s become a hit on Hulu. His character Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto on FX’s ‘The Bear,’ is the chef behind the Original Beef of Chicagoland, a spartan River North beef stand that’s been around since 1980. At Mr. Beef, an actual Italian beef stand on Orleans that partly inspired the show, the kitchen has no room for a full staff, especially one that uses the French kitchen hierarchy, something that Carmy brings to the fictional restaurant after stints at Michelin-starred fine dining spots like Eleven Madison Park in New York and Noma. “I was just doing a little bit of press earlier at the Beef, shooting something and there was a cook there who works at Avec,” White says. “And she was just like, ‘You guys got it. You guys! I feel seen and understood and, and that’s just such a nice thing.’” Restaurant workers across the country have embraced the show as an accurate portrayal of the everyday stresses of working in the hospitality industry. The show deals with anxiety as White’s character searches for support, something that’s not uncommon for restaurant employees working long hours and surrounded by beer and liquor. To read our full interview, tap the link in our bio. 📷: FX/Matt Dinerstein