The Bear on Hulu Photo Credit: Hulu; FX

The Bear became an instant television hit about a fast-paced restaurant in Chicago and a talented young chef who takes over a struggling family business after tragedy.

Instead of a usual workplace setting like an office or hospital, The Bear brings us to the high-stakes, fast-paced world of a kitchen, where everything from the sizzle of the grill and the heat of the stoves to the tension between employees feels amplified.

You’ve either worked in the restaurant industry or know someone who has, so the depiction of a kitchen and how it’s run behind the scenes is pretty accurate. Additionally, the mental toll that job takes is introduced in the storylines as well.

From Carmy’s struggle with grief and burnout to Sydney’s internal conflict about proving herself in a male-dominated environment, the show offers a candid look at how work-related stress can affect mental well-being. It’s very relatable.

The show’s popularity also influenced pop culture — whether it’s the rise of food-centric content or the way it portrays “the way out of this mess.”

The food-centric content is especially interesting because of Carmy’s relationship with the food itself.

Carmy is a classically trained fine-dining chef, so his approach to food reflects his desire for perfection. His transition to working in a small sandwich shop presents a clash between his high-end culinary skills and the gritty, often chaotic reality of running a fast-paced kitchen in a struggling business.

An important moment in the series is when Carmy begins to teach Sydney, a chef with her own dreams how to handle the chaos of the kitchen.

The way The Bear is able to use the food as a visual throughout the series too is truly a chef’s kiss.

About Jessica Kleinschmidt

Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.