Chef the Movie - a Review

This is one of my most favorite food movies of all time.  I will mention right up front that it has an R rating but it is for the language right up front but the rest of the movie is very family friendly.  I don't condone such language and believe it should not be used in a professional setting but professional kitchens don't always have people in charge that believe that and they set the tone.

This movie is about a professional chef who worked in a restaurant where there was very little freedom for creative expression.  The owner was not willing to release control of the menu.  When a food critic visits he gives a bad review based on the tired old menu that the owner pushed and the chef took the hit in the review.  

Chef, not being tech savvy, signs up for a twitter account and blasts the critic in what he thought was a private message and it goes viral for all to see.  The critic retaliates and the battle is on.  Long story short the chef's career is shut down and he has to find another way to live.  After years of fighting the idea of a food truck he relents and the adventure with his best friend and son begin.

This movie is about dreams and passions, family and friends, finding joy in what you do.  It is a real feel good movie with lots of yummy food and beautiful scenery along the way.  

If you are in the mood for a foodie movie this one just happens to be on Netflix Watch Now right now, too.  

Warning:  It will make you hungry!  You might want to have some sandwich fixings and a Panini press on hand when you watch it.

Here are a few recipes shared from the movie.

I loved it!  Definitely a 4.5 out of 5 for me.  (language kept it from being a 5)

New To Me...

I met Nigel Slater today.... not in real life.  LOL

I met him by way of the movie Toast.

It is a very interesting movie based on the Memoir of Nigel Slater by the same name.  I found it on Netflix Watch Now.  The most fascinating part for me was the progression toward becoming a professional caterer and what drove him toward that life.  I had just had someone ask me if I had seen it and so I looked it up and there it was.... just waiting to be discovered.  It won't win any Academy Awards but it has it's moments.  My favorite part is when he becomes enrolled in a Home Economics class and the determination he showed in learning to bake a Lemon Meringue Pie.  He was certainly driven...

Nigel is a food writer in the UK for The Observer and he has written a plethora of books on food, gardening and cooking.  He also has had several video series over the years on food.

Slater has his own website which is simply his name so it is easy to remember...  www.nigelslater.com.

He is a home cook (not a chef - as he shares right up front), a writer and a gardener....
I cannot wait to discover more.

Here is a little bit about him in video form.

I think I will be looking for some of his books and videos on YouTube to investigate more!

Julie and Julia...

I am finally going to see the movie tomorrow night. I have been waiting on the hubster to get some time so we could make it a date night.

I must admit that I really did not like the book Julie and Julia and I bought the book My Life in France which will be read soon but I did not have time to get it done before the movie. I am hoping that Julie Powell is more likable in the movie than in the book. With Amy Adams as Julie I cannot imagine that she would be as whiny and annoying so I am holding out hope on that one.

As for the life of Julia.... that will always be a winner in my book and as Meryl Streep is playing her this part of the movie is sure to be a hit.

Anyway.... I will let you know if the movie is actually better than the book this time.... crossing fingers for a winner here!

A Toast to Julia!!!

I am pulling this book off the shelf today...

Because this movie is coming August 7th...



You cannot even come close to imagining how totally thrilled I am to see this movie!!!

Julia Child inspires me SO very much as a middle aged culinary student and wife and mom. I want to be her when I grow up!!! LOL

Three more weeks...

and I can come back to you! I am SO SO SO ready!!! In the meantime, I thought I would share five foodie movies to check out if you have not already. The above... Tortilla Soup is my latest fave... I have a little crush on Hector Elizondo and he is PERFECT in this movie! It is a beautiful movie that will make you hungry in the most delightful way. See it! :)

Martha is MAGNIFICENT and so is her beautiful food. This is a beautiful story!

Who does NOT think Johnny Depp is a charmer in this one? Judi Dench is one of my MOST favorite actresses of all time and she does not disappoint in this one. Best of all is the chocolate!!!

These two are on my summer watch list... cannot wait for time to enjoy them!

A True Family Flick...

We took the plunge on opening weekend and went to see the new Pixar hit Ratatouille. I absolutely loved it!!! It was a hit for everyone in our family from age 3 to 42. We laughed and cried and sat on the edge of our seat and got grossed out and and and.... We were spellbound the entire time.

The movie began in a little house in the countryside of France and moved quickly into the amazingly reproduced scenery of Paris. The digital picture was spectacular! The kitchen of the restaurant was spot on as far as a typical French restaurant should be run right down to each Escoffier brigade station.

The rats were adorable and lovable and our children fell in love with them. The music was so enjoyable, too. Pixar wrote a great story and I must admit I was not sure how they would pull a rat in the kitchen off but they did it. There were a few times I cringed at the thought of so many rats in the kitchen but it worked in this movie.


There were some of my favorite aspects of a movie in this...
* Changed characters
* The little guy triumphs
* You can be anything if you work hard enough and want it badly enough
* Love story
* Happy ending
* Lovable characters
* Lots of plot to follow
* Not as predictable as you might think
* Touching teary eyed moments

I won't spoil it for you by giving story and plot away but I will say it is a must see!!! Go and enjoy it as a family. It is language and situation friendly for all ages. Hollywood needs many more of these kinds of movies.

I would give it a 4.5 out of 5 just for the gross factor (my own sensitivities about mice and rats and sanitary issues and such but they may not bother anyone else - it's a chefy thing and maybe a mommy thing). LOL I WILL, however, be buying this one on DVD.

I won't say NEVER...

...but I can say ALMOST never. I don't go to the theatre to see movies BUT I think I will make an exception on this one. The kids LOVE Pixar, Dan LOVES going to the theatre and I LOVE chef stuff so I think this is a MUST SEE for our family. We are going to the movies... soon..... VERY SOON to see...

Ratatouille



and you can download a little activity book for the kiddos, too!!!
















& maybe this one, too...

No Reservations

...but I am sure it would be fine to just wait until this one is out on DVD.















I want to see The Waitress when it is released on DVD, too.