WHAT A MOVIE!
Haute Cuisine! Just my cuppa tea! It has deepened my understanding of what French cuisine can be and my obsession has grown! This foodie film revealed to me the importance of considering more regional, simple, meaningful dishes that are still unquestionably French. Of course my initial obsession with French cuisine was the ‘haute’ reputation it carries, but my focus is expanding to include more regional cooking styles that brought so much joy to the president. Hortense’s thoughtful cooking style revealed to me the power it can have on creating relationships, and breaking down hierarchies of gender, talent and knowledge that existed within the president’s palace. ‘Haute Cuisine’ has planted the desire to travel more regionally when I make it to France, to experience the local produce – the flavours of individual terroirs! My pal Meribah, who I watched the movie with, was more focused on the power of talking about food and the importance of ‘double orality’. I have to admit I was sceptical, but now I have realised it’s another way to experience food! She pointed out the beautiful scene where the president recites a recipe like its poetry, how much more there is to food than just food! Just speaking the recipe brought so much joy! The passion for food literature that these two characters showed, was reminiscent of Carème, the famous French chef who elevated food from just sustenance to something that is meant to be enjoyed! Maybe I’ll start reciting recipes like poetry and see how much joy I can spread….but maybe this would make my audience hungry– till next time bloggies xo
References:
- Parkhurst Ferguson, P. (2003). Writing out of the kitchen: Carême and the invention of French cuisine. Gastronomica, 3(3), 40-51.
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