Haute Cuisine – Les saveurs du Palais (2012)

Directed by: Christian Vincent | 95 minutes | biography, drama, comedy | Actors: Catherine Frot, Jean d’Ormesson, Hippolyte Girardot, Arthur Dupont, Jean-Marc Roulot, Arly Jover, Brice Fournier, Joe Sheridan, Philippe Uchan, Laurent Poitrenaux, Hervé Pierre, Louis-Emmanuel Blanc, David Houri, Nicolas Chupin

Only a few are able to provide meals for a real president. Director Christian Vincent found the true story of chef Danièle Delpeuch interesting enough to convert it into the drama/comedy ‘Haute Cuisine’. Danièle Delpeuch becomes Hortense (Catherine Frot) and she is allowed the honorable task of nurturing President François Mitterand (Jean d’Ormesson), who is convinced that she has the best of France to offer him.

The events take place in the 1980s. As a newcomer, Hortense must make his way through a forest of jealous chefs, because as the highest-ranking chef in the Élysée Palace you can expect nothing but envy. Then she is also the only woman in a man’s world, it is not made easy for her. Fortunately, her charming young assistant (Arthur Dupont) is a true support and rock. Hortense has nothing to complain about anyway, since Mitterand absolutely loves the dishes she puts on the table. Unfortunately, there are always people who (almost literally) throw a spanner in the works, turning Hortense’s dream job into a struggle for survival.

It is better not to watch ‘Haute Cuisine’ on an empty stomach, because all dishes are presented in an extremely juicy and elaborate way. Every plate Hortense puts on the table is a pleasure to look at, a delight that is a little too irresistible. Because the great emphasis on cooking makes the film more like a cooking show than a drama/comedy. The character and plot development therefore remains rather superficial: although Hortense is a sympathetic character, we never really get to know her. The few dramatic moments also seem a bit artificial, as if Vincent was desperately looking for material to spice up his project.

‘Haute Cuisine’ has a fairly original theme and the true-life aspect gives the film an extra dimension, but it also immediately becomes clear why such films are not made more often. Purely and alone the chef’s existence apparently does not provide enough material for a fascinating in-depth film and however tempting Hortense’s cuisine is, after an hour you have seen it. Not highly recommended, unless you need some inspiration for dinner tonight.