Watch The God of Cookery

The God of Cookery is a 1996 Hong Kong comedy film directed and co-written by Stephen Chow, who also stars in the lead role. The movie also features Karen Mok and Vincent Kok in significant roles. The film captures the essence of Hong Kong's food and culture while providing a hilarious look at life in the fast-paced and competitive culinary world.

The story follows the rise and fall of Stephen, a corrupt and egotistical celebrity chef who has risen to fame as the self-proclaimed God of Cookery. He gains worldwide recognition for his cooking talent and extravagant personality. However, after a humiliating defeat in a cooking competition, he finds himself thrown out of his own restaurant and humiliated in front of his peers.

As Stephen deals with the aftermath of his downfall, he meets Turkey, a humble street vendor who convinces him to become his apprentice and learn about the culinary world from a different perspective. Together, they embark on a journey to regain Stephen's former glory and compete in the International God of Cookery Competition.

The God of Cookery is a comedy movie, and as such, the film is filled with several moments of silliness and absurdity. It also parodies the absurdities of the culinary world and the high-stakes cooking competitions held all over the world. Throughout the movie, there are several hilarious scenes, including one where Stephen fights a gang of street vendors with their assigned food weapons.

The acting of Stephen Chow in the movie is the highlight of the whole film. His exaggerated expressions and comic timing are perfect for a movie of this genre. He is convincing as the pompous and arrogant celebrity chef in the first half of the film and later on as a changed, selfless character who has learned the importance of humility and the value of hard work.

Karen Mok also delivers a great performance in the movie. She plays a street vendor who has a sweet spot for Stephen and helps him regain his confidence. Her character brings a sense of calm and reason to the story when the situation becomes too chaotic, and Stephen's behavior too ridiculous.

Vincent Kok's performance is notable in the character he portrays. He plays a wealthy business owner and Stephen's nemesis in the cooking world. His character embodies the corrupt, scheming, and manipulative chef who is willing to do anything for power and wealth.

The God of Cookery has a good sense of pacing and editing, making the film a breeze to watch. The cinematography is breathtaking, with shots of Hong Kong's bustling streets and stunning dishes that will make the audience's mouth water. The sounds of sizzling pans and crackling flames make the movie come alive, taking the audience right into the heart of the kitchen.

The film's soundtrack is a mix of upbeat and cheerful songs that match the tone of the film. The music complements the action on the screen, creating tension or underscoring moments of bliss.

Overall, The God of Cookery is a must-watch movie for those who love a good laugh and appreciate culinary art. The film succeeds in delivering an entertaining and engaging story with well-developed characters, and memorable scenes that leave a lasting impression on the viewer. Even though it is almost twenty-five years old, the movie holds up well and remains a classic in the comedy genre.