Alfredo Linguini

Living… in a modest one-bedroom apartment in Paris. The place isn't fancy, but it's got heat and light, which is good enough for Linguini. And it doesn't hurt that he has a first-rate view of the city.

Profession… garbage boy at Gusteau’s, a gourmet restaurant. Linguini may longingly eye the position of chef, but his lack of cooking skills makes that dream a farfetched one. However, by a stroke of luck, Linguini comes in contact with someone who drastically changes his fate: Remy, a highly talented cook – and a rat.

Interests… film noir, roller skating, and cooking. Though he's not too good at the last one, Linguini is endearingly earnest in his attempts to learn.

Relationship Status… deeply smitten with Colette, the only female cook at Gusteau’s. Linguini is out of his element in the kitchen, and Colette takes pity on him and teaches him the ways of the fast-paced kitchen. A strong-willed, assertive woman, she has no patience for his ineptitude, but her sharp tongue only causes him to fall deeper in love.

Challenge… not getting fired. Having lost many jobs already, Linguini can hardly afford to lose this one. Luckily, Linguini devises a system with Remy, letting the rat hide under his hat and control his actions in the kitchen. Remy, controlling Linguini, does all the work; all Linguini has to do is go along for the ride.

Personality… in his own words, Linguini is “not good with words or food.” Clumsy and easily flustered, he doesn’t inspire confidence in any of his fellow cooks, but what he lacks in coordination, Linguini makes up for in kindness. It is kindness, after all, that leads Linguini to save Remy, and it is kindness that eventually lets him win over Colette and his coworkers.