When creating the script for the film, Brooks decided in his mind the candidate to play John, and that was Adam Sandler. Brooks thought he was very suitable for this role. In order to play the role of chef John in the film, Sandler went to Napa Valley to visit chef Thomas Keller. Later, Sandler returned to the restaurant and, like Brooks, worked hard in the kitchen, preparing food with other employees, practicing skillful knives, clever seasoning techniques, and elegant placement. Sandler worked very hard and made a lot of improvements in a short period of time.
During the casting process, Christie Hobage, the executive producer, was responsible for helping to find suitable Latin actors for the film. In order to find suitable candidates to play Flau, the main creative staff almost selected Spanish actresses from New York, Chicago, Miami, Texas, New Mexico, Mexico, North America, Spain and other parts of the world. Brooks originally hoped to find a Mexican actor, but although he interviewed many well-known actors, no one was suitable. Producer Ansel said that Paz Vega was the last actor Brooks saw. When she walked in from the door, he knew that she should be Flau. Vega believes that although he is a Spaniard, there is no obstacle to playing a Mexican. Vega does not know English, and Brooks does not know Spanish, so the dialogue between them is simultaneously translated by Spanish translator Dolores Aguirre
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