A literal hotpot of activity, professional kitchens worldwide are typically not for the faint-hearted - meaning that, naturally, they make excellent backdrops for movies and TV shows.
And with KRLD celebrating the annual DFW Restaurant Week, what better time to delve into the dramatic world of kitchen-based streaming suggestions?
Ratatouille, 2007
As is a theme throughout many Pixar movies, Ratatouille plays heavily on the idea that you should never judge a book by its cover.
In a high-end Parisian restaurant, a wannabe chef, Remy (Patton Oswalt), forms an unlikely friendship with a young kitchen worker with the two forming a partnership that will allow both to flourish. Oh, and did we mention that Remy is a rat?
Usually shunned by all humans who see him, Remy is given a chance to succeed and eventually prove the doubters wrong who judge him purely on his appearance.
"Written and directed by Brad Bird and displaying the usual meticulousness associated with the Pixar brand, “Ratatouille” is a nearly flawless piece of popular art, as well as one of the most persuasive portraits of an artist ever committed to film," A.O. Scott wrote. "It provides the kind of deep, transporting pleasure, at once simple and sophisticated, that movies at their best have always promised."
Ratatouille can be streamed via subscription on Disney+.
Chef, 2014
A heartwarming and visually impressive movie that will have you hungry in seconds, Chef is a true audible and visual feast.
Directed and starring Jon Favreau, Chef Carl Casper is down on his luck and falling out of luck with the industry that has been his whole life. A divorcee losing touch with his son and enthusiasm for life, Chef sees Casper go on a literal and metaphorical journey to reconnect with his son, rediscover his passion for food, and find his purpose in life thanks to a run-down food truck.
Featuring the likes of Sofia Vergara, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert Downey Jr. to name but a few, if nothing else Chef is worth streaming in order to enjoy its warm and charming soundtrack alone. Oh, and to learn how to make an amazing grilled cheese.
"Carnivores, prepare to salivate," Susan Wloszczyna wrote. "Chef," an affable and affectionate celebration of food, friendship and familial love, may feature two of the most photogenic ladies in Hollywood but even such dishy visions as Sofia Vergara (using her indoor voice for once) and Scarlett Johansson (with boho bangs and hipster tattoos) can’t hope to compete with the sight of a sizzling slab of Texas-style brisket that’s been grilled to crusty blackened perfection."
Chef can be streamed via subscription on Hulu.
Boiling Point, 2021
If you're in the mood to feel tense for an hour and a half, then this is the movie for you.
Shot in one take from start to finish, this remarkable movie never misses a beat despite its perceived restrictions. It throws you in the deep end, following a struggling but gifted chef, Andy Jones, as his challenging personal and professional lives clash one evening.
"The result is a spicy nerve-jangler served with a chargrilled side order of jet-black gallows humour – a divine comedy barrelling towards inevitable tragedy, played out in hell’s kitchen where someone is bound to get burned," Mark Kermode wrote.
Tense, gritty, and painfully realistic, Boiling Point is an under-the-radar gem featuring an excellent cast led by the always top-tier Stephen Graham.
Boiling Point can be streamed for free on The Roku Channel.
The Great British Baking Show, 2010-
The second you begin to hum the enigmatic theme of The Great British Baking Show (Or Great British Bake Off as it's known in the U.K.) everyone knows what you're referring to - and for those who don't: where have you been the past decade?
A true cultural icon, this annual baking competition sees a group of Britain's best amateur bakers take to the renowned and picturesque tent for a series of challenges with one baker losing their spot each week - all in the name of being names star baker, and eventually, Bake Off champion.
Unlike many American equivalents, this charming reality never lets its inherent competitiveness get in the way of the genuine friendships and care the contestants appear to have for one another. This lends itself to becoming a genuinely heartwarming and sometimes life-affirming piece of weekly escapism that'll have you clambering through your pantry for a baked good in minutes.
The Great British Baking Show can be streamed via subscription on Netflix.
Chef's Table, 2015-2019
An intimate docuseries looking into the lives of remarkable chefs worldwide, Chef's Table provides a fascinating background to these people, their worlds, and what drives their love for food.
Not that this series sees these individuals as merely chefs, but artists working to perfect their craft.
"It’s the show that paved the way for over-the-top visuals, and helped bring high cuisine into the Netflix queue," Meghan O'Keefe wrote.
Chef's Table can be streamed via subscription on Netflix.
Local Lead - DFW Restaurant Week
North Texas’ largest culinary event and the nation’s second longest-running restaurant week campaign, the 25th Anniversary DFW Restaurant Week officially runs between Aug. 8–14, with most of the restaurants extending dining for additional weeks, through Sept. 4.
Explore a variety of cuisines with premier restaurants across Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties through an expanded selection of anniversary prix-fixe menu dining options – including new weekend brunch and Signature Experience dinners. Approximately 20 percent of the cost of each meal will be donated to NTFB in the Dallas area or Lena Pope in the Tarrant area.
Find out more here.
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