Heads up to "Iron Man" fans, "Chef" is director Jon Favreau's fabulous stress-vanquishing vehicle after all his superhero ventures, and it lets off more steam than all the potholes in New York City. There is not one superhero sighting here. Although "Iron Man" himself, Robert Downey Jr., makes an appearance, he's more interested in finding a good restaurant than kicking ass.

You'll see a lot of food in "Chef" (some scenes are just close-ups of glittering, enticing dishes), but this film is really the battle cry of the artist who pines to be his own creative master. Favreau stars, writes, directs and clearly relishes having total control over the material and the chance to throw personal hygiene concerns straight out the window: As talented but scruffy and overweight chef Carl Casper, Favreau sure looks like he could use a long soak in a soapy tub.

But Carl just doesn't have time. Which is one of the salient points behind "Chef": Artists, whether they're behind a camera or a hot stove, must answer to one or more demanding big shots, which ultimately ruins their work and, um, eats into their personal time, which they should ideally be spending washing themselves or saving their marriages.