I know I shouldn’t make my problems your problems (after all, a problem shared is a problem doubled, no?) but enough is enough. On a random Tuesday in the Quorn offices, I just happened to mention, in passing, pure small talk if you will, that the best foodie film out there has to be Julie and Julia. Little did I know how such an innocent remark would unleash the passions of my colleagues who are, as you would imagine, thoroughly immersed in the world of food. And oh yes, dear readers, their fervour runs pretty deep. It’s more than a week later and water cooler conversations are STILL carrying threads of our debate. So I’m putting it out there and I’m taking it to the public vote. Which of these films contain the best foodie scenes ever filmed?
Julie and Julia – French cooking will never be the same again! I literally ate up every minute of that film and loved the locations, the lead actresses and oh yes yes yes, the food. Favourite scene? Julia’s Valentines Day dinner with giant red heart badges.
Chocolat – c’mon, you knew that would be in here and anyway, it’s a brilliant excuse to link to a picture of Johnny Depp. Click here for instant gratification. Never watch this film if you’re on any kind of diet or healthy eating plan – at first sight of those truffles, your will power will crumble like cocoa powder at your feet.
Ratatouille – I know rats and food are NOT a combination you want to think about but this animated gem had us enraptured. Watch Remy whip up a feast in a Paris kitchen to battle ‘The Grim Eater’ food critic. Genius.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – it’s got to be the original with Gene Wilder all the way (sorry Johnny)
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life – when Mr Creosote meets that wafer-thin mint … a defining moment of my teenage years.
Golden oldies – Babette’s feast, Eat Love Man Wife, Like Water for Chocolate and Tampopo – foodie film masterpieces!
Naughty foodie scenes – I’m not going into too much detail because this is not a restricted site but let’s just say When Harry Met Sally, 9 and Half Weeks, American Pie and Delicatessen are classics but NOT for the faint hearted. You have been warned!
What say you? Help us resolve this debate once and for all and post your vote by including your favourite foodie movies in your comments. Have we missed out any classics? Don’t let down your fellow foodies, make sure you get in touch to let us know!