| Dinner and a Movie - Online

Explore and discuss four classics of culinary cinema as we prepare meals based on the movie and enjoy them together (virtually)!

Note: This class will be held in a live, online format using the Zoom platform.
Class meets four times, every other Saturday (Apr 10, Apr 24, May 8, May 22, 2021) 5-8pm ET

©”Like Water for Chocolate”

This winter, bring two loves together: food and film!

As a cornerstone of our very existence, food has always played a significant part in our social and cultural lifestyles. So, it’s no surprise then that the culinary arts have been common motifs in cinema. Film artists from all corners of the globe have used food to make statements about our inner lives, personal relationships, connection to society and to our environment.

In “Dinner and a Movie”, we will be cooking food from four classic examples of world cinema and sitting down together with our culinary creations to converse about the cultural significance of food and its diverse application in global cinema.

The class will be taught through film viewings (watched outside of class time), and instructor-led presentations. The instructor will moderate in-depth class discussions about the film and guide students through the preparation of a three-course menu taken directly from the selected film.

Each Saturday evening will begin with participants setting up to cook dishes from the movie with film professor and experienced home cook, Claude Kerven. During the cooking, students will also be treated to a pop-in from Claude’s sous chef, Susan Lambert, who will discuss wine pairings and tips on how to inexpensively decorate the table to heighten the experience and encourage a cozy, intimate and shared space.

©”Eat, Drink, Man, Woman”

So, join us for four evenings and four films! This course on food in film is perfect for everyone – people stuck at home on their own, couples, the entire family, or even groups of friends from their respective houses!

Each session: 5 p.m to 8 p.m. ET (approximate end time)

Please note: A list of the necessary ingredients will be emailed upon signing up. The cost of ingredients (not included in the tuition) for each three-course meal will cost approximately $20-$25 per person ($80-$100 per person for all four sessions).  Variables include the cost of ingredients in your area, substitutions you might make (for example, substituting vegetarian risotto for seafood risotto will cut costs considerably), whether you are planning to make all three courses or just one or two courses, or simply ordering in a pizza and joining us for the film discussion!  Participants might also incur modest fees to stream the movies prior to our sessions together.

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FILMS & MENU

 

Saturday April 10th: “THE BIG NIGHT”

“To eat good food is to be close to God.”

Two Italian brothers, a chef and a businessman, must do whatever it takes to impress a famous American-Italian singer and save their failing restaurant.

After the movie we’ll be cooking 3 of the classic Italian dishes, including Salad of Endive, Pancetta, Poached Egg and Sherry Vinaigrette, Classic Italian Minestrone and Seafood Risotto.

Join us for Big Night! Your table is waiting…

Saturday April 24th: “FRIED GREEN TOMATOES”

Troubled housewife Evelyn Counch, whose marriage is in tatters, forms an unlikely friendship with an elderly nursing home resident, named Ninny Threadgoode. Ninny proceeds to tell Evelyn the story of Idgie & Ruth from 1920s Alabama, a tale of female friendship, loyalty, and courage, which inspires Evelyn to take hold of her life and be more assertive in her marriage.

After the movie we’ll be cooking a selection straight out of the Whistlestop Cafe cookbook with Down Home Crab Cakes, Pork Chops with Apples and Sweet Potatoes and Rice Pudding for dessert!

Join us for Fried Green Tomatoes! Secret’s in the sauce…

Saturday May 8th: “EAT, DRINK, MAN, WOMAN”

“Eat, drink, man, woman. Basic human desires. Can’t avoid them.”

Senior Master Chef Chu lives in a large house in Taipei with his three unmarried daughters. Life in the house revolves around the ritual of an elaborate dinner each Sunday, and the love lives of all the family members.

Over 100 different recipes were used in the filming of Eat Drink Man Woman with each dish authentically prepared for its presentation on the screen.  We’ll be preparing three of those delectable recipes that, happily, won’t require the expertise of a world-class chef or food consultant expert: Minced Shrimp in Lettuce, Steamed Chicken with Black Mushrooms, and Four Kinds of Vegetables.

Let’s try these recipes together!

Saturday May 22nd: “LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE”

“When Tita felt Pedro’s enduring gaze on her shoulders, she completely understood how raw dough must feel when in contact with boiling oil.”

A story about enchanted love, family, and homemade recipes. When tradition prevents Tita from marrying the man she loves, the heart-broken young woman discovers she has a magical power that allows her to impart her feelings to others through her cooking.

It’s no wonder the author crafted this internationally celebrated story to coincide with the serving of traditional Mexican dish: they are that good. Join us for the preparation of Oxtail Soup, Quail in Rose Petal Sauce and a sweet treat for desert: authentic Chocolate Caliente (Mexican Hot Chocolate).

 

©”The Big Night”