Watch Haute Cuisine

Haute Cuisine is a 2012 French comedy-drama film directed by Christian Vincent, who co-wrote the script with Etienne Comar. The movie stars Catherine Frot as Hortense Laborie, a talented chef from the province who becomes the personal cook for the President of the French Republic. The story of Haute Cuisine is based on the true experiences of Danièle Mazet-Delpeuch, who was the personal chef to President François Mitterrand from 1988 to 1990. However, the film takes some liberties with the true events, especially in terms of the relationship between Hortense and the president.

The film begins with Hortense receiving a call from the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of France, informing her that she has been selected to become the personal cook for the President. Despite some initial reluctance, Hortense accepts the job and moves to Paris to start her new life.

However, Hortense soon realizes that cooking for the President is not an easy task. She has to contend with a difficult kitchen staff, a demanding schedule, and the president's fickle and unpredictable tastes. Nevertheless, Hortense refuses to compromise on the quality of her dishes and insists on using only the freshest and finest ingredients.

As she navigates the challenges of her new job, Hortense forms a close bond with her assistant, Nicolas (played by Arthur Dupont), who shares her passion for cooking. Together, they create elaborate meals using traditional regional recipes, much to the delight of the president and his guests.

The film does an excellent job of portraying the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of the Élysée Palace, as well as the joy and satisfaction of cooking for others. The scenes in the kitchen are particularly engaging, as viewers get an up-close look at the artistry and precision that goes into creating gourmet dishes.

In addition to the impressive culinary scenes, Haute Cuisine also explores themes of class and gender. Hortense is an outsider in many ways - she is a woman from the countryside working in a male-dominated field - but she refuses to let the prejudices of others hinder her work. She also forms a strong bond with the president, despite the vast difference in their backgrounds.

Ultimately, Haute Cuisine is a delightful and engaging film that offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of French politics and haute cuisine. Catherine Frot delivers a masterful performance as Hortense, capturing both her passion for cooking and her fierce determination to succeed. The supporting cast, including Arthur Dupont and Jean d'Ormesson, also delivers strong performances that add depth and nuance to the story.

If you're a fan of food-centric films, or just looking for a charming and well-crafted story, then Haute Cuisine is definitely worth watching. It's a beautifully shot and captivating film that will leave you hungry for more.

Haute Cuisine is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 61.