Movies and Television shows you should watch if you love food
If you consider yourself a “foodie” and anything food makes you happy, this is the Discover Brisbane list of TV Shows and Movies, Netflix or otherwise, that you must see!
In no particular order:
1. Chefs Table (6 Seasons), including Chefs Table France (1 Season)
Chefs table is an original documentary Netflix series, showcasing the stories of world-renowned chefs. The beautiful cinematography and story-telling from each chef of how they came to love food, learn to cook, the hardship and through to their triumphs, is what makes this series so compelling. The subjects vary widely from episode to episode, which keeps things interesting, and you'll find yourself making a mental note of places you should be visiting if you ever find yourself travelling. Totally binge-able series when you love food!
2. Somebody Feed Phil (6 Seasons)
Everybody loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal takes viewers on a world trip, tasting all kinds of food. What will have you hooked is his sheer joy and happiness whenever he gets to see the food he's about to have, and how his eyes light up with that first bite. Other adorable bits are when he video calls his parents to tell them about his day. A truly infectious series because of Phil's sheer joy.
3. Salt Fat Acid Heat (1 Season)
Based on her book of the same name, Chef, and food-writer Samin Nosrat takes viewers on a trip around the world to show the four elements of good cooking. There are only 4 episodes as you might have guessed, with each episode focused on exploring one of the four elements. We love how Samin meets with restaurant chefs, home cooks, and artisans around the world and really immerses the viewer to develop a greater understanding of the kitchen fundamentals. It demystifies what makes a great meal, and you'll find yourself thinking out loud, “I can do that”.
4. The Final Table (1 Season)
Originally skeptical towards this show, but found it surprisingly entertaining. A culinary competition between some of the world's best chefs. The concept is 24 acclaimed chefs from around the world, working in teams of two through a series of country-themed challenges. There's a great focus on the background of both the food and the chefs, and the respect each of the competitors have for each other is heart-warming. Of course, we're totally biased towards the Aussies, Shane Osborn and Mark best. Both industry legends in their own right.
5. Anthony Bourdain. Parts Unknown (12 Seasons)
Possibly one of the best travel (and food) shows of all time; the idea of connecting people around the world through food. Beloved host Anthony Bourdain is real, authentic, humorous at times, and his tragic passing leaves a void never to be filled. The saddest and most haunting episode was probably his visit to Hong Kong (Season 11, Episode 5) and his time with Christopher Doyle. That scene along the river (with both of them on the little boat) as Christopher Doyle plays cameraman, and kisses Anthony on the cheek afterwards, is sheer joy, between two friends. By the time that episode aired, Anthony had passed away.
6. 1 Million Pound Menu (2 Seasons)
A show where food and business collide. Part Shark Tank, and Master Chef, this show is where budding restaurateurs and young cooks have a chance to make their dreams a reality as they battle head-to-head in side-by-side in all expenses paid pop-up restaurants. A group of UK’s most well-known restaurant investors including chef-proprietors, hotel owners, venture capitalists, then decide which of these are worthy of their time and, or, investment. What's great about this show is seeing how these ideas come to life, from branding, through to their product as how they operate, and whether it could be a successful venture. You do get emotionally invested in the successes and many disappointments, so its well worth a watch.
7. The Hundred Foot Journey
A feel good, crowd-pleasing movie that was our favourite for a long time after it came out. Starring Helen Mirren (who's always worth a watch). This movie is about the Kadam family's struggles from fleeing political violence in India (that killed their family business and mother), to arriving in a small village in France to establish a new life. Once there, a chance auto accident and the kindness of a young woman, Marguerite, in the village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val inspires Papa Kadam to set up an Indian restaurant. Their restaurant though is 100 feet away and in direct competition with the well-to-do Madame Mallory's acclaimed Michelin starred establishment, where Marguerite also works as a sous-chef. The story, its characters, the rivalry, the budding romance between Marguerite and Hassan, and the latter's natural culinary skills will have you enjoying this movie, which is more about how food, love, the love of food, is a bridge that connects people from all cultures.
8. The Lunchbox
An incredible movie that you will always love long after it's finished. We didn't even know about Mumbai's Dabbawalas, and it is equal parts mind boggling and impressive! This movie is about an improbable mix-up in the infallible lunch-box delivery system of the famous Mumbai Dabbawalas. As a result, two perfect strangers, the lonesome middle-aged widower, Saajan Fernandes, and the young but unhappy housewife, Ila, unexpectedly, will find their lives delightfully entangled. In an instant when Ila's elaborate menus, (intended to win back her husband's affection), mistakenly reach Saajan, a series of hand-written lunch-box messages explaining the situation will gradually prepare the ground for a true friendship, and a genuinely intriguing interest. Will this develop into something more? You will have to watch!
9. Today's Special
A feel good foodie dramedy, about a young Manhattan chef Samir, who rediscovers his heritage and passion for Indian cuisine. After quitting his job, and deciding to risk an unpaid internship in Paris, his father suffers a heart attack, ruining his plans and requiring him to run the family's failing Indian restaurant in Queens; Tandoori Palace. He can't cook Indian food, so things get dire when the chef quits. Enter the mysterious taxi driver Akbar, who he meets by accident. Akbar gives him an embossed card with only his name on it, nothing else. He claims to have been a great chef back in India, having cooked for British Royalty. In desperation to find him again, Samir enlists three old-timers and manages to track him down. So begins Samir's education on Indian cuisine. Akbar cooks with soul and offers philosophy on the meaning of cooking and life. With the help of Carrie, whom he met at the Manhattan restaurant, Samir not only discovers his passion, but begins to fall in love. Akbar's recipes transform the Tandoori Palace's cuisine, and word spreads. Will there be happily ever after for both Restaurant and Samir?
10. Julie & Julia
Starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, this is great movie depicting Julia Child's story, at the start of her journey as a chef, and Julie Powell; a struggling would-be writer. The two women never meet, and their stories do not intersect, but rather Julie's decision to write a blog about cooking and committing herself to Julia's 534 recipes in a year, is what intertwines their stories together. We go back and forth between these stories of two women learning to cook and finding success.
11. Chef
A fun movie that just makes you feel good. Jon Favreau does it all, as actor and director, and we remember this movie came out at a time when Brisbane's food truck scene had yet to explode. The story revolves around Carl Casper; an acclaimed chef with a strained relationship with his tech savvy son Percy and rich ex-wife Inez. Those frustrations boils over into a public confrontation (viral video meltdown) against a restaurant critic, who panned his cooking of food that his boss ordered him to make against his instincts. With his career in ruins, Carl's ex-wife offers an unconventional solution in Miami. Refit an old food truck to offer quality cooking on his own terms, and his new-found passion for Cuban cuisine. Now with his young son, Percy, and old colleague, Martin, helping, Carl takes a working trip across America with the food truck to rediscover his gastronomic passion. With Percy's knack for social media and Martin's spirit, Carl finds that his truck is a travelling sensation on the way home. In doing so, Carl finds that the journey is more than simply the food, but also a deeper connection with his passion for life, and his family. Definitely a must – watch!
12. Waffle Street
Based on a true story, of James Adams' 2010 memoirs, Waffle Street is an engaging comedy-drama about high-flying Vice President of a $30 billion dollar hedge-fund, who loses his job in the midst of the financial crises. He ends up working at a popular 24 hour Waffle diner and it is there that he befriends Edward; the best short order cook in town, who happens to be an amazing person serving up more than just food, but lessons on life, finance and grits. A movie about redemption, and doing "honest work". Fans of One Tree Hill, will immediately recognise James Lafferty in this one.
13. Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (7 Seasons)
Whilst we haven't seen each and every episode of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, seeing Gordon continually lose it, and swear at everyone is pure entertainment. The gist of the show is, Gordon visits struggling restaurants, and spends time with the owners to try make them successful. There's usually a renovation of sorts and a menu overhaul, as well as a few tears, but most of all you'll laugh Gordon's continual "fucking hell!" exclamations at the sight of disgusting kitchens. There's a follow up at the end of the episode, where you see Gordon revisit the Restaurant months down the track to see how they're going, and sometimes owners revert to old habits and the restaurant no longer exists.
14. Burnt
Before we knew Bradley Cooper could sing, he dabbled in the world of fine dining, as chef Adam Jones in this movie. A story about a talented Michelin starred chef who threw it all away with drugs and bad behaviour. After cleaning up his act, and moving to London, a chance for redemption presents itself, to earn an elusive third Michelin star. Well acted film, (Bradley Cooper does have a knack for playing a character with addiction). This movie highlights the pressure and the teamwork required to operate at the highest level and you get an appreciation for the hard work it takes behind any fine dining institution.
15. Ratatouille
One of the best movies of all time, let alone an animated movie that has food at its heart. It must be good because our niece can't stop watching this over and over, and we never seem to get sick of it. It always warms the heart. Ratatouille is about Remy, a provincial rat with a wonderful sense of smell, and a sophisticated palate. He risks death to enter a human kitchen where he discovers real food and the cooking of his idol, five-star chef, Anton Gusteau, author of "Anyone Can Cook". When fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath hero Chef Gusteau's restaurant (who has already passed away). As Remy enters, so does Linguini, a clumsy kitchen-hand hired as a garbage boy. To save the soup that Linguini accidentally ruins, Remy throws in some ingredients; the soup is a success, and Linguini's career as a chef is born. Its up to the two of them to avoid the insane head chef Skinner, bring the rest of Remy's family up to his standards, win his girl Colette, and produce the finest Ratatouille in all of France. A beautiful movie for the entire family, that blends stunning animation, a fantastic plot, great characters, humour, drama, action and adventure. One of the best Pixar films, up there with Toy Story!
16. Sweetbitter (1 Season)
Sweetbitter follows 22-year-old Tess who leaves her small rural town in Ohio, for the big city lights of New York City. Without knowing the “5 noble grapes of Bordeaux”, she manages to land a job at a celebrated downtown fine ding restaurant. And so begins Tess's journey of discovery, where she learns to navigate the chaotic world she finds herself in. Learning about the people she works with, the dive bars they hang out at, drugs, alcohol, love, lust and everything in between. This is, obviously, a fish-out-of-water story melded with a coming-of-age story, and there's enough believability in Tess's character, and “innocence” as a “new kid”, that we totally get sucked in as a viewer. Great cast, and characters, there's talk that Season 2 will be released!
17. Ugly Delicious (1 Season).
Bingeable food travel show that promises “All of the flavour. None of the BS”. An idea that we can easily take on board with David Chang (of Momofoku fame) as host. He travels to culinary hotspots, and explores not only how food gets made, but also delves into the cultural, as well as sociological history of that specific popular food. The show goes into it with a lot of passion, challenging some of our attitudes towards the food in question. Highly informative and entertaining, you'll definitely be getting cravings after each episode.
18. Chocolat
A movie about chocolate? Yes please! Of course this story is more than that. Starring Juliette Binoche, (with a minor role for Johnny Depp), Chocolat is set in a small town of France in the winter of 1959. The movie is about a woman (Vianne) and her young daughter (who are drifters) who move to this tiny little religious village and opens a chocolate shop during lent. This of course does not make her the most popular person in the village. As Vianne begins to work her magic and help those around her, the townspeople are soon won-over by her exuberance and her delicious chocolates; except for the mayor, who is determined to shut her down. When a group of river drifters visit the town, Vianne teaches the townspeople something about acceptance, and finds love for herself along the way. A great cast, and an endearing story all-round.
19. Waitress
A little offbeat but heartfelt and sweet. This movie is essentially a story about a young mother-to-be writing a letter of apology to her unborn baby. Set in a Southern town, it centres around a diner where pies are not only made fresh and in abundance, but treated as objects of worship. With their small and unfulfilled lives, three of the kooky waitresses share a sisterly friendship and act as each other's lifeline when unwanted babies and other such misfortunes come knocking. The collective cast is great, with Nathan Fillion playing the slightly neurotic gynaecologist guy-on-the-side charmingly, Jeremy Sisto nailing the role of abusive bastard of a husband, Andy Griffith as a misunderstood old man and restaurant owner, and lastly Keri Russell as Jenna. Fans of 90s – 2000s hit “Felicity” would love this.
20. The Menu (2022)
The Menu is a darkly funny and suspenseful thriller that will leave you wanting more. This foodie-horror movie follows a young couple who travel to a remote island to dine at an exclusive restaurant. But what they find there is more than they bargained for. The food is delicious, but the menu is full of surprises. And as the night goes on, the couple begins to realize that they may be in over their heads. If you're a fan of food, horror, or dark comedies, then you'll love The Menu. It's a delicious and suspenseful ride that will keep you guessing until the very end.
21. The Bear (3 Seasons)
The Bear is a new FX on Hulu series that follows Carmy Berzatto, a young chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop after his brother's death. The show is a raw and honest look at the world of professional kitchens, and it doesn't shy away from the long hours, the demanding work, and the high-pressure environment.
But what makes The Bear so special is its characters. Carmy is a complex and flawed protagonist, and he's surrounded by a cast of equally well-developed supporting characters. The show also features some of the most realistic and mouth-watering food scenes on television.
If you're a fan of food, cooking, or just good television, then you need to watch The Bear. It's a show that will stay with you long after you've finished watching it.
22. From Scratch (2022)
From Scratch is a heartwarming and inspiring miniseries about the love story of a young artist and a Sicilian chef. The series is based on the memoir of the same name by Tembi Locke, who also created and executive produced the series.
The series follows Amy, a young artist who flees to Italy to fulfill her dreams of being an artist. In Florence, she meets Lino, a charming chef who shares her love of food and culture. Their relationship takes flight quickly, and they soon move to Los Angeles together to pursue their dreams.
In Los Angeles, Amy and Lino face many challenges as they try to make it in the big city. However, their love for each other and their shared passion for food help them to overcome these challenges. The series is a beautiful and moving depiction of love, loss, and resilience.
From Scratch is a must-see for foodies and anyone who loves a good love story. The series is beautifully shot and features some mouth-watering food scenes. The acting is also top-notch, with Zoe Saldaña and Eugenio Mastrandrea giving memorable performances.
The series has been praised for its heartwarming story, its authentic depiction of Italian culture, and its beautiful cinematography. Variety called the series "a moving and inspiring tale of love, loss, and resilience," while The Post-Athens said that the series "is a must-watch for anyone who loves food, family, and second chances."
From Scratch is a beautifully made and emotionally resonant series that is sure to leave a lasting impression. If you're looking for a heartwarming and inspiring story, then you need to check out From Scratch.
23. The Taste of Things
If you're looking for a movie that tantalises your taste buds and warms your heart then look no further than "The Taste of Things," a recent gem from the 2024 French Film Festival, in Brisbane. This captivating film isn't just about food; it's a full sensory experience that transports you right into the heart of traditional french cuisine.
From the opening scene, "The Taste of Things" will grab your attention. Witness the meticulous choreography of Eugenie's (Juliette Binoche) kitchen – the rhythmic clatter of pots and pans, and the satisfying sizzle of ingredients, as we witness the love, dedication and care that French cuisine demands.
It's an ASMR-like symphony that will have you craving a front-row seat to traditional french food. The immersive camera work draws you into Eugenie and Dodin's (Benoît Magimel) world, making you feel like you're right there alongside them as they craft their masterpieces.
"The Taste of Things" offers more than just a visual feast though. It's a heartwarming story about the deep connection between food, love, and the pursuit of excellence. This film explores these themes in a way that will leave you both satisfied and emotionally touched.
What have you seen recently?
Definitely not an exhaustive list but a great start for combining your love of food, TV and films. There's some delicious additions to Netflix recently with Streetfood, showcasing the best of Asia. Other notable mentions, could include any of SBS food shows, such as Adam Liaw's Destination Flavour, Maeve O'Meara's Food Safari, or Re-runs of Rachel Khoo, Nigella, The Two Greedy Italians, and Rick Stein. If you love food, seeing it, cooking it, eating it, these are the shows that you'll end up watching for hours, to lose track of time over, and leave you wanting a second course!
