The Bear's Unhinged Ina Garten Parody: All The Easter Eggs Explained

If you're a fan of FX's restaurant-based dramedy "The Bear," you were likely just as confused as we were upon first viewing the Season 4, Episode 8 cold open, in which Sydney (played by Ayo Edebiri) finds herself in a nightmare inspired by another show iconic among foodies: "Barefoot Contessa." We're here to break down the scene's Ina Garten references for you and elaborate on how the parody fits into the stakes of "The Bear" — how easy is that?

Let's start from the beginning: The intro sequence is perfection. From the moment the first few notes of the lively title song play, Food Network fans know exactly what's happening — you're being welcomed (begrudgingly, perhaps) into an episode of Sydney's version of Ina Garten's "Barefoot Contessa," a hifalutin cooking TV series set in the Hamptons. In the nightmare, it only takes one look at her short black bob with bangs to realize that Sydney is Garten. The title sequence includes the words "the bear" instead of "barefoot contessa." From the self-assured look Sydney gives the space just beyond the camera to the picturesque panoramic view of the waves crashing on the Hamptons shore, it's clear: You're about to enter a place where only good olive oil is used (if you don't have time to buy your own olive grove and press oil from hand, store-bought is fine). 

We also see Sydney gallivanting along the shoreline, picnic basket in hand and floppy hat on head. She then serves a massive tray of steaks to excited guests, a la Garten's roster of dinner partygoers who wait with bated breath to see what the Barefoot Contessa has cooked up for them this time.

As the title sequence of the show-within-the-show fades, Sydney finds herself speaking directly into the camera while wearing an outfit inspired by Ina Garten's signature look (Garten prefers to get her signature button-downs from Talbots, one of the many brands she loves), telling viewers that the total time for preparing the sliced brioche on the counter should be a "quick and easy 27 hours," referencing Garten's tendency to overestimate her viewer's time and resource availability. She goes on to talk about her cutlery that she got from "a stonemason in Italy," a nod to Garten's frequent, off-the-cuff references to high-end materials and ingredients (naturally, she's a big fan of marble countertops in the kitchen). As the nightmare continues, rain starts pouring into the studio, and Sydney keeps up Garten's sunny attitude, emphasizing the importance of having fun while you're cooking despite her world literally crashing down around her.

Sydney's nightmare is ultimately related to her stress and indecision over whether to stay at Carmy's restaurant (which seems more and more unlikely to survive) or to accept a job offer with a more established chef (we won't give any spoilers as to what she chooses just in case you're not all caught up). Whether you love or hate Garten (we're firmly in the former camp), those familiar with "Barefoot Contessa" will appreciate the time and effort "The Bear" — and Ayo Edebiri — put into creating an opening scene with the same attention to detail that Garten puts into making dinner for her husband, Jeffrey, and their friends who call the Hamptons home.