The Taste of Things Roundup for Movies & Munchies, May Edition

I’m always on the hunt for a good culinary-themed movie and I think I may have hit the jackpot with The Taste of Things (France 2023). It’s a beautifully shot film that totally focuses on food (and love). I hosted that film for Movies & Munchies for May.

We had four participants this month. 

Camilla of Culinary Cam has a great synopsis of the film, especially the first thirty minutes. 

A word of warning: do not watch this movie on an empty stomach. Okay, you have been warned. The Taste of Things begins with more than 30 minutes of cooking. Eugénie, played by Juliette Binoche, cooks, cooks, and cooks some more. The scene is gorgeous with very little dialogue and no music. All you hear is the sound of stock bubbling, butter sizzling, and spoons sliding against pots. And the rest of the movie is just as much a culinary tour de force akin to Babette’s Feast or Like Water for Chocolate.

She made Baked Alaska (Omelette Norvegienne) with perfect meringue.

Amy’s Cooking Adventures was next up. Amy thought the film a little meandering at first but…the food.

Most of the film took place in the kitchen with the preparation of very classic French cuisine. I have to say, I was feeling rather proud of myself for identifying (and having made) several of the recipes before they were actually mentioned by name, so I knew classic French food was something I could prepare.

I had to Google a lot of stuff! 🙂 Amy made a classic Brioche which turned out beautifully despite some early second guessing.

Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm also enjoyed the film and discussed the culinary quietude of it as well. She mentioned another one of Dodin’s protégés: Pauline.

There is a backstory of a young girl, Pauline, who joins Eugenie in the kitchen as an apprentice.  Pauline is very young but already has an amazing palate.  I was captivated by this young girl as she tasted the food.  Her face expressed such emotion during these tastings.  It was a sight to see.

Wendy made a Pot au Feu with summer vegetables, another perfect dish to celebrate the film.

I was up last with my post. While I took pages and pages of notes to document the food in the film, I just wasn’t inspired to make anything really complicated. I kept coming back to the theme of the omelette. An omelette is glimpsed in the opening scene, Dodin uses it as a test for new cooks, and he and Eugenie share one as he comments that it is his favorite part of the day—sharing a simple meal with her.

Thanks for playing, all.

Camilla is hosting for June with Nonnas. I’ve already watched it am working on the gravy.