If you love good food, simple living, a pure aesthetic and a beautifully laid table, you need to see the French film The Taste of Things.
The Taste of Things is a hymn to La Cuisine. A celebration of passion. It tells the tale of the French cook Dodin Bouffant and his all consuming passion for flavours and fine cuisine. He has a bunch of close friends who share this passion and who are always available to enjoy his gargantuan meals.
Dodin Bouffant is played by Benoit Magimel and his cook and mistress Eugenie by Juliette Binoche. Two giants of French cinema, who many years ago were also a couple in real life.
As well as the fine food, it is also the incredible aesthetic of the film. The setting is late 19th century, somewhere in the French countryside. The kitchen is a spacious room with two young girls in attendance to the master cooks. Every gesture is precise, and the detail of each element in the kitchen is remarkable.
Added to this we should also mention the potager – perfection! And the vases of fresh flowers around the home, that add a discreet and elegant touch of color. I tried to find out who did the flowers, they are a masterclass of understated elegance.
If you’ve already seen the film, which came out a few months ago, I’d love to know what you thought of it?
If you feel tempted to discover your inner Dodin Bouffant, I’m happy to give you the wonderful green pea soup, that Dodin serves to his darling Eugenie when she needs a little TLC. All the recipes for The Taste of Things were created by Michelin starred chef Pierre Gagnaire, who also makes a small appearance in the film.
You may like to know that our upcoming subscription box for August is on the theme French Country Kitchen, you are welcome to read more about it here.
Dodin Bouffant’s Green Pea Soup
Ingredients
- 500 g fresh green peas
- 3 fresh onions chopped finely
- 1 litre fresh cream
- 3 table spoons of whipped cream
- salt
How to make the soup
In a heavy based saucepan, sauté the onions without coloring them. Add the fresh cream, a pinch of salt and bring to the boil. Add the fresh peas.
Cook for 15 minutes.
Leave the soupe to rest, mix thoroughly to obtain a smooth consistency and if you wish, ush through a fine sieve to check the smoothness.
Taste and season as required, add a spoon of whipped cream and serve in a beautiful tureen.
22 comments
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Saw A Taste of Things 2 weeks ago with a friend and we both think its the best film we have seen for a very long time. I think the whole theater was going home to eat something . It was fabulous.
I saw this film in the U.K. a few months ago and loved everything as you describe – it is a film to go back to, like many of those special understated French classics, just beautiful.
Your blogs are always ones to look forward to – you are yourself quite an amazing lady.
Loved this movie too . Absolutely captivating and a joy to watch. Wonderful acting and the food was exquisite!
Absolutely dreamy…. Didn’t want it to end
I saw this film a few months ago in the UK. I absolutely loved it too. Everything so beautiful and yet so restrained . Many of the stills could be 19th century paintings. The light was exquisite . I think the fact that the two protagonists were once a couple in real life adds a certain frisson. In an interview Juliette B said their daughter was very pleased to see them acting together.
Watched the film on a Delta plane to Provence. Talk about setting the stage for my 10 days in France. Magnificent!
I agree the flowers were a joy – so understated that they could have been missed. I want to live int at kitchen!
One of the most beautiful films I have seen in a long time. I was simply enthralled from start to finish- I recommend it to everyone
We’ll be watching the film tonight. We own a small apartment in the south of France but can’t be there as often as we would like. MFCH keeps us connected to France between visits. Merci beaucoup!
In my opinion best film since “Chocolat” with the wonderfull and unique Juliette Binoch.
Watched it twice and loved it. So much beauty to behold and a sweet story.
Such a beautiful, exquisite, and memorable movie! Went with 4 friends and we had to go out for a glass of wine after and discuss at length. Would gladly see it again.
Watched this on Air France on my way to Paris in May. A lovely way to experience bounties of fresh ingredients all being prepared in the kitchen of my dreams. I must see it again!
I couldn’t wait to see this film when I saw the previews. So many years ago Babbett’s Feast was a similar feeling. I savored every moment of The Taste of Things. It was a beautiful love story of food and love. Bravo!
A beautiful film. Have seen it twice and would love to see it again. Unfortunately I don’t speak French so relied on the subtitles. One of my favourite films ever
I watched the film just recently on my flight back from China to the US. It reminded me of the reason why I love to cook, why I decorate the way I do, why against all odds I use real silver ware every day, or think it is important to use those heirloom pieces of dishes also every day. The movie is a masterpiece for all of those reasons!
Saw it, loved it. Put me in mind of ‘Babette’s Feast’ where every detail was considered crucial to the outcome. Beautiful story, beautiful setting. A must see.
I just watched “The Taste of Things” and thought it was wonderful! Thank you for suggesting we watch it!
I loved watching this film, loved everything about it and will watch it again. The complex relationships, the beauty of each scene, the lighting, the editing that in the end reveals the richness of every moment. I am not surprised you loved it! The glimpse we all get of you and your home and garden is an inspiring delight.
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