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Back to Main Food in Film Page Click here to Buy these films on DVD or VHS Makes a great gift for Food and Film lovers alike
Film Released: 2007 Kate, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, is the head chef at a trendy restaurant in Manhattan called 22 Bleecker Street. A perfectionist, she runs her kitchen as she runs her life - everything in the right order at the right time and at a fast pace, co-ordinating her staff with cold military style precision. A "hands on" chef, she personally arranges the food on every plate and in the process, intimidates those around her .
Kate even dislikes being asked to meet customers who want to compliment her on her cooking, and comments to her boss that "brilliant chefs belong in the kitchen" , however, her temperament is such that when a customer complains about a steak which is too well done, she rushes out of the kitchen wielding a raw steak on a large knife, slamming it down onto the customer's table. Reactions like this have led her boss to insist that she either goes for counselling or gets fired. So, she goes for counselling on a regular basis.
Kate's regimented life is abruptly changed when her sister is killed in a car crash leaving her nine-year old daughter Zoe played by Abigail Breslin in her care. With all the upheaval on Kate's life, her boss decides to hire a new chef to help out. Nick played by Aaron Eckhart, is himself an outstanding chef, but rather than taking a job as a head chef elsewhere, says he wants to work under Kate.
However, Kate begins to feel threatened by Nick and his light-hearted style of running the kitchen which finds the rest of the staff warming to him. He even gets close to Zoe encouraging her to take an interest in eating and good food, a feat which alluded Kate. Nick's natural charm eventually wins Kate over and their relationship blossoms into more than just friendship.
As you would expect, there is a lot of food featured in this film, but one recipe is mentioned several times during the film, the first being right at the beginning, when Kate is talking to her therapist and the last very near the end when she divulges to Nick the secret ingredient which makes it so unique. Here's our take on Saffron Sauce which in the film is served with seared scallops.
The secret ingredient is a fresh Kaffir Lime leaf however, if you can't get one, it's still good without it. This is a very rich sauce however you don't need much of it per serving.
Happy Cooking! Back to Main Food in Film Page
Saffron Sauce
Makes approx 240ml/8fl.oz. (serves 4)
Ingredients Instructions
3. Over a low heat, add the butter, a few cubes at a time, whisking well between each addition to blend it into the sauce. Do not boil.
4. Strain the sauce
through a fine strainer into a small saucepan then add the lime juice, salt and
pepper to taste. Stir well over a low heat. |
