Tuck into these cinematic treats
Welcome to the cinematic kitchen and get ready for a journey that will make your stomach rumble. We’re serving up a silver-screen feast of passion, drama and pure culinary joy. Presenting a Ten-Course Tasting Menu of the greatest food films ever made. Grab some popcorn and let’s tuck in!
Amuse-Bouche: A single, perfect bite to set the tone.
Ratatouille (2007)
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Ever wonder what a rodent with a MICHELIN-star palate could do? This Pixar classic is a hilarious, heartwarming dive into the frantic, thrilling world of a top Paris kitchen. An animated tale about a rat with ridiculously refined tastes, Ratatouille is a magical love letter to the kitchen that proves genius can come from anywhere. Plus, the famous vegetable dish is presented so beautifully that it has inspired real chefs all over the world to step up their game.
Appetisers: These films focus on the joy of fresh starts and the delicious process of self-discovery through food.
Chef (2014)
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When a famous chef quits his fancy job after a public meltdown, he trades in his white tablecloths for four wheels and a fryer. This vibrant, infectious film is a culinary road trip serving up ridiculously buttery grilled cheese and the legendary, mouth-watering Cuban sandwich. Some of the plot points of the story, including Carl and his son’s visit to New Orleans, the city’s iconic beignets, covered in glorious powdered sugar, the earnestness of food truck culture and Jon Favreau’s real-life love affair with cooking take food truck culture to new heights with the ultimate feel-good story about starting fresh.
Julie & Julia (2009)
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This film is a delightfully warm hug that connects two women across time through the sheer power of French cooking. It interlaces the inspiring true story of Julia Child, a culinary star credited with bringing French cuisine to the American public, in Paris with a modern blogger’s hilarious, year-long quest to cook all 524 recipes in her famous cookbook, including the famously rich Beef Bourguignon. Meryl Streep’s joyful, larger-than-life portrayal of Julia is as satisfying as a perfectly made sauce, making this a sweet and funny watch that will inspire you to tackle your own towering stack of cookbooks.
Eat Pray Love (2010)
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While this movie is technically about finding yourself, for food lovers, it’s really just about the indulgent, breathtaking Italian vacation we’ve all dreamt of. Based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 memoir, it stars Julia Roberts as Gilbert. The ‘Eat’ part of the film in Rome is a full-throttle embrace of delicious hedonism featuring platefuls of fresh pasta, perfect Neapolitan pizza and creamy Gelato. It’s the perfect cinematic reminder that life, just like a perfect Italian meal, is meant to be savoured slowly and delightfully.
Entrées: The heart of the meal. These stories plunge you into the high-stakes world of epic feasts.
Big Night (1996)
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This indie classic tells the story of two immigrant brothers whose authentic Italian restaurant is struggling in the face of simplified American cuisine. It all comes down to one single, elaborate meal meant to save their business, featuring the star of the show, the incredible Timballo (Timpanum), a magnificent, towering baked pasta that is truly a work of art. It’s a passionate, beautiful film about integrity and the sacrifices required to protect the perfect recipe.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
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This fascinating documentary profiles Jiro Ono, the 85-year-old owner of a tiny, three-MICHELIN starred sushi restaurant located in a Tokyo subway station. This is the ultimate film for anyone obsessed with craft, featuring the decades-long pursuit of making the most disciplined, meticulously prepared sushi in the world. Watching Jiro’s mastery will genuinely change the way you look at a simple piece of fish forever.
The Menu (2022)
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You’ll never look at a tasting menu the same way again. This pitch-black satirical thriller traps a group of pretentious elite diners on a remote island where a celebrity chef has prepared a stunning, conceptual and increasingly terrifying meal. The film is a hilarious, unsettling critique of the high-end dining world, skewering snobbery and obsession with biting humour. Watch it for the stunning shots of food and the dramatic tension.
Dessert: Whimsical indulgence and emotional comfort.
Chocolat (2000)
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This film is a sumptuous celebration of the irresistible allure of dessert. When a mysterious chocolatier opens a beautiful new shop in a conservative French village during Lent, her exquisite, spiced chocolates stir something within the townsfolk and challenge their rigid traditions. It’s a whimsical, romantic fable that shows how food, especially something as magical as perfect chocolate, can be a force for profound emotional change.
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
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This is the ultimate visual sugar rush and a fever dream for anyone with a sweet tooth. Whether you prefer the 1971 or 2005 version, this film is a whimsical fantasy about a contest that sends five kids into the unbelievable world of Willy Wonka’s factory. Prepare to be amazed by rivers of liquid chocolate, lickable wallpaper, giant gummy bears and other fantastical confections.
Your Next Culinary Challenge
Watching these films is great but getting inspired is even better. Now that your appetite is fully whetted, get cooking! Try your hand at Timballo after Big Night, make a perfect Ratatouille like Remy’s, or channel your inner Julia Child and tackle a classic omelette au fromage.
Image credit: Pinterest
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
