- - Matty Matheson Serves Up Comfort: From “The Bear” to a Poutine-Inspired KFC Bowl (Exclusive)

Moná ThomasJanuary 16, 2026 at 4:52 PM

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Matty Matheson for KFC -

Matty Matheson collaborates with KFC on a poutine-inspired bowl highlighting fries, cheese curds, and gravy

The Bear star says he draws on Canadian roots and culinary expertise to make indulgent comfort food accessible

The chef also discusses parallels between restaurant life and filming The Bear, emphasizing teamwork and mental health

Matty Matheson has built a career on feeding people — whether that’s through a restaurant kitchen, a television set, or now, a bowl inspired by one of Canada’s most beloved comfort foods.

The Canadian chef, restaurateur and breakout star of Hulu's The Bear, 43, is currently filming the show’s fifth season, but the joy of cooking is never far from his mind. That includes a new collaboration with KFC centered on Matty’s Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl, a poutine-inspired bowl that reflects both his culinary roots and his belief that cozy, indulgent food still matters.

Matty’s Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl from KFC

“Everybody loves french fries,” Matheson tells PEOPLE, breaking down poutine with the kind of reverence usually reserved for fine dining. The classic Canadian dish layers crispy fries with cheese curds and hot gravy — a combination that’s been a staple across Canada for decades. “You’ve got fluffy, crispy, salty fries, beautiful, stringy cheese curds — almost marshmallow-y — and then gravy,” he gushes. “As you pour the gravy on, it doesn’t melt right away, so you get multiple textures and mouth feels. It evolves instantly while you’re eating it.”

For many Canadians, poutine is nostalgia in a bowl — warm, filling and unapologetically indulgent. For Matheson, who grew up in Canada, it’s also emotional. “I was brought up in a house where we love gravy,” he recalls, laughing. That love translated naturally into his KFC collaboration, which he describes less as a product and more as a way to make comforting, chef-driven flavors accessible to everyday life and budgets. “Getting people eating a yummy bowl — that’s exciting to me," the star adds.

That same philosophy carries over to The Bear, where Matheson plays Neil Fak, one of fans' favorite characters. Fak, he says, wasn’t always meant to become the "emotional glue" of the series, but his evolution mirrors the show’s broader growth. “He’s this odd, vulnerable glue between everybody,” Matheson explains. “He’s listening, he’s kind, he’s giving. He just wants everyone to win.”

Unlike many of his castmates, Matheson brings real kitchen experience to the role — and he sees clear parallels between restaurant life and life on set. “Both long days, both a team effort,” he explains. “Everyone’s working toward one goal.” But if he had to compare restaurants to anything, it wouldn’t be television. “Restaurants are way closer to live theater,” he explains. “People are showing up at a certain time. You better know your lines. You better have your mise en place ready.”

That intensity can take a toll, but Matheson says the key to surviving both worlds is alignment — and humor. “Having fun, trying to make people laugh,” he says. “I really believe you can work hard and have fun at the same time.”

Comfort food plays a role there, too. When asked how he manages the stress of high-pressure environments, he jokes, “I just eat poutines… just jam poutines,” before adding that being surrounded by good people makes all the difference.

As 2026 gets underway, Matheson isn’t focused on resolutions so much as momentum. In addition to The Bear and the KFC launch, he has a season three of his Netflix show, Just a Dash, debuting Jan. 20. Still, his philosophy remains grounded. “We’ve got 24 hours,” he says. “If we can just try to be a little bit better today and love a little bit more and try to have some kind of ripple effect of putting some positivity out there - I think that's all we can manage at this moment."

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”