“The Bear” is one of the current phenomena. The Disney Plus series has managed to captivate the audience in a powerful way with its first season, and the recently premiered second season is on track to achieve various milestones like its predecessor. Its secret? Besides a unique directing style, it provides an unparalleled portrayal of what unfolds in restaurant kitchens.
Undoubtedly, “The Bear” has helped bring back into the limelight a fascinating profession in the realm of audiovisual storytelling. However, even though there have been few instances where the culinary world has been depicted in this manner, it’s not the only series to have done so. Below, we present a list of series, movies, and documentaries that have also managed to provide a more or less accurate portrayal of the culinary world while delivering significant doses of entertainment.
Chef’s Table (Netflix)
We kick off the list with a documentary series, a genre that excels in portraying this bustling world. “Chef’s Table” is a six-season original program by Netflix that has earned numerous Emmy Award nominations. In this series, the secrets of the world’s most renowned kitchens are unveiled, spotlighting the globe’s top chefs who are redefining gourmet cuisine.
The Menu (Disney Plus)
“The Menu” is one of the most acclaimed films of the past year. With a cast led by Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, and Nicholas Hoult, it presents an intense and thriller/horror-toned portrayal of the culinary world. Clearly, it may not be the ultimate depiction of the culinary realm, but it stands as one of the finest films related to it… and it vividly illustrates the depths an obsession with one’s profession/art can lead to.
Foodie Love (HBO Max)
Director Isabel Coixet was among the first Spanish filmmakers to create a series for an international platform. This was the case with “Foodie Love,” a fiction series starring Laia Costa and Guillermo Pfening. The series follows a couple of food enthusiasts who go on a date after meeting online. As they lay the foundations for their relationship, the bitter taste of the past is gradually mitigated by new culinary experiences. It’s a series that humorously and playfully blends gastronomy with romance, as its very title suggests.
Like Water for Chocolate
A classic of Mexican cinema, this feature film is based on the homonymous book by Laura Esquivel. Directed by Alfonso Arau in 1992, it’s a love story brimming with drama, where gastronomy serves as a unifying theme. While not delving into highly technical culinary concepts, it does explore them sufficiently to provide an incomparable backdrop for the unfolding narrative.
Street Food: Asia (Netflix)
Netflix is the premier platform when it comes to documentaries, and another great example of this is “Street Food: Asia.” This 9-episode series takes us on a journey to the major capitals of Asian countries to explore the street food of each location. From surprise and fascination to tenderness, this documentary is a must-watch for food enthusiasts who appreciate exceptional cuisine.
Ratatouille (Disney Plus)
It might be an animated film, but this Pixar gem is one of the finest representations of the culinary world we’ve ever seen on the big screen. From exploring the relationship between fine dining and culinary critique to depicting the city of Paris, the movie is replete with intricate details that guide the viewer through every moment.
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