With the recent barrage of food movies hitting both the big and small screens, it’s easy to find tasty films to satisfy the cinephiles’ every mood and appetite.
In honor of the Oscars this weekend, we asked local chefs to offer up a few of their favorites that, like a great meal, linger in the mind long after they are devoured.
Domenica Catelli, chef/owner of Catelli’s in Geyserville: 1996’s drama-comedy “Big Night”; 1992’s “Like Water for Chocolate,” based on a novel by Laura Esquivel; 2006’s comedy-drama “Fast Food Nation,” based on a 2001 non-fiction book; and 2008’s documentary “Food Inc.,” examining corporate farming in the U.S.
“I love ‘Big Night’ for the nostalgia of it, because it reminds me of my dad and grandparents,” she said. “‘Like Water for Chocolate’ because of the passion behind her cooking, and ‘Fast Food Nation’ and “Food Inc,’ for the message and awareness that they bring.”
Carol Cole, Sebastopol food stylist: 2001’s “Mostly Martha.”
“It is all about the power of food to bring people together, to heal broken hearts and for seduction.”
Franco Dunn of Franco’s One World Sausages of Healdsburg: 1973’s French-Italian comedy, “La Grande Bouffe” (The Big Feast); 1985’s Japanese comedy, “Tampopo”; and the 1994 Taiwanese film, “Eat Drink Man Woman.”
“In ‘La Grande Bouffe,’ they eat themselves to death,” he said. “It’s hilarious, and it’s a great movie.”
“‘Tampopo’ is a fantastic movie. It’s set in a small ramen bar, and these hip Japanese people are kissing, and they are exchanging an egg yolk back and forth.
“‘Eat Drink Man Woman’ is a beautiful Chinese film about a man who is retiring after being a head chef in China. He’s not able to cook anymore, and his daughters are cooking. That one is absolutely fantastic.”
Duskie Estes, chef/owner of Zazu in Sebastopol: 2008’s “Kung Fu Panda” and 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
“I love the story line of Po being told he can’t be a Kung Fu star because of his body form, but he does it against the odds with a joy for eating all along the way. I can relate to Po in my journey as a woman chef. Amazing noodles and buns — I want some! And he has mad chopstick skills!
“I love Willy Wonka because I love chocolate — I eat it every day — and the life lessons about kindness.”
Jil Hales, owner of Barndiva in Healdsburg: The eating scene between Tom Jones (played by Albert Finney) and a woman he has found on the highway, from 1963’s “Tom Jones.”
“When I was growing up, people never thought of food as sexual,” she said. “They’re in a tavern, and they begin to eat, and as she picks everything up, there’s grease on her fingers and her décolletage is heaving … and this was a long time ago.”
Mei Ibach, chef/instructor at Homeward Bound of Marin in Novato: 2007’s documentary “The Secret of Grain”; 2009’s indie drama “Today’s Special”
“‘The Secret of Grain’ is a Franco-Tunisian drama about an aging immigrant from Maghreb who wants to establish a restaurant in France as an inheritance for his family — two thumbs up.”
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