The 2012 drama/comedy film ‘Haute Cuisine’, was a playful take on a woman’s journey to the top of the culinary industry, in a male-dominated environment. Whilst tackling large real-world issues, the film deserves commendation for the soundtrack, cinematography and acting that foster an enjoyable viewing experience. It touches on French Identity, Gender, honour, power and family. The lead, Hortense Laborie (played by Catherine Frot), must navigate the pathway to success by becoming the president’s private chef. A notable moment in the film is the gift of a cookbook, which celebrates the importance of tradition and recipes in European cuisine. The narration of food highlights the ‘double orality’ of food, as we constantly see and hear about an array of produce and food. The juxtaposition of tradition, commercialism and the future, provides an insight into the ever-changing state of cuisine.
The tradition of high caloric food creation is essentially broken when the president’s doctors require his diet to become healthier. This highlights the changing landscape of food, and touches on my theme of the Low FODMAP diet, as even the president requires changes to traditional foods, for better health. Perhaps, this film highlights how we must allow authenticity to remain in the form of flavour, nostalgia and written form, but learn to accommodate for changing dietary needs. In summation, the film shows viewers how food can mess with the hierarchies of gender and royalty.
European food through a Low FODMAP lens 