The most captivating quality of film is its ability to cinematically transport viewers to faraway environments, cultures and foods. Ah yes, food.
I mean, who can honestly say they didn’t crave Courtesans Au Chocolat from Mendel’s pastry shop after watching the Grand Budapest Hotel? And is there anyone who would turn down any of the delectable courses presented in Like Water for Chocolate?
Terrence R. O’Haire, culinary coordinator for the Downtown Market, recognizes cinema’s ability to stir our taste buds and decided to partner up with the UICA to present the Big Screen Cuisine series.
The series features a variety of foodie-approved films, including both aforementioned movies and a slew of others. Each movie is accompanied by a workshop, class or dinner exploring the films’ culinary creations.
| Big Screen Cuisine
featuring Babette's Feast Sunday, December 6 Movie: 3 p.m., Class/Dinner: 5:30 p.m. $75 per person Includes movie admission, six-course Chef’s Dinner and drink pairings uica.org |
“Ultimately, I’m just always looking for interesting ways to engage in the community from a culinary perspective,” O’Haire said.
For December’s Big Screen Cuisine, O’Haire decided to go all out with a screening of the Danish classic Babette’s Feast, followed by a specially prepared six-course dinner inspired by the exact feast featured in the 1987 film.
“The movie itself centers on a meal this French chef puts on for the town,” O’Haire said. “What I’m doing is recreating that meal for everyone after they’ve watched the movie.”
Tickets to the dinner are $75 and include a movie pass. The dinner includes Blinis Demidoff au Caviar (pancakes with caviar), Caille en Sarcophage (stuffed quails in puff pastry), Chicory and Walnut Salad as well as three more mouth-watering courses and an assortment of wine, champagne, cognac and coffee.
Of course each month’s film and event pairing will differ wildly from the next. Whether it’s a wine-tasting class led by sommeliers (paired with the comedy Sideways), or a screening of Ratatouille followed by a class on how to make traditional French ratatouille from scratch, there’s a little something here for all film and grub buffs.
“We tried to actively make it a community series as opposed to catering to just people with kids, people who have a ton of money to blow on expensive food or just people who really want to learn how to cook,” O’Haire said.
A little word to the wise: Get your tickets early. Past events have sold out in 10 days or less. Find out more and purchase tickets at uica.org/big-screen-cuisine.
