FOR GRACE
Directed by Mark Helenowski and Kevin Pang
Not Rated | 92 min
Curtis Duffy, one of the country’s most renowned chefs, is building his dream restaurant. The recipient of two coveted Michelin stars, Duffy has a laser focus on his cooking career and his ambition is to make his Chicago restaurant, Grace, the best in the country. FOR GRACE follows the building of the restaurant from concrete box to its opening night. It also revisits Duffy’s turbulent childhood: how a teacher recognized talent in a troubled teenager; how an unimaginable family tragedy made Duffy seek refuge in the kitchen; and how cooking took from him as much as it gave.
Wine Pairing:
To celebrate Curtis Duffy’s escape from a tumultuous childhood and rise to be one of the most acclaimed chefs in Chicago, a glass of champagne is in order. Good options are Moet & Chandon, Billecart Salmon, Deutz, Piper Heidsieck, Mumm, and Taittinger. If you’d prefer sparkling wines from the U.S., consider Schramsberg, Domaine Carneros, J Vineyards, Gloria Ferrer, or Domaine Chandon.
Available on Amazon Prime, Google Play, and iTunes. Information & Trailer.
THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY
Directed by Lasse Hallström
Rated PG | 122 min
Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is an extraordinarily talented and largely self-taught culinary novice. When he and his family are displaced from their native India and settle in a quaint French village, they decide to open an Indian eatery. However, Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), the proprietress of an acclaimed restaurant just 100 feet away, strongly objects. War erupts between the two establishments, until Mallory recognizes Kadam’s impressive epicurean gifts and takes him under her wing.
Wine Pairing:
Whether you prefer to celebrate Hassan Kadam’s success as a French chef with French wines or prefer wines that would pair with dishes from the Maison Mumbai, look to reds or whites from Languedoc, Cotes-du-Rhone, or the Loire Valley. Reds from Cotes-du-Rhone and Languedoc are composed of many grape varietals but are primarily Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. My favorite reds from the Loire Valley are Chinons, made from Cabernet Franc. These all would go well with the roast pigeon Madame Mallory sadly threw into the garbage. White wines from these regions that would go well with dishes from Maison Mumbai include Vouvray and Muscadet from the Loire Valley, Picpoul de Pinet or Chenin Blancs from the Languedoc, or Grenache Blancs from Cotes-du-Rhone. If you prefer a white wine that’s a bit sweeter you could also try Rieslings from Alsace or Washington State.
Available on Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Netflix.
CHEF
Directed by Jon Favreau
Rated R, 114 min
When Chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) suddenly quits his job at a prominent Los Angeles restaurant after refusing to compromise his creative integrity for its controlling owner (Dustin Hoffman), he is left to figure out what’s next. Finding himself in Miami, he teams up with his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara), his friend (John Leguizamo) and his son to launch a food truck. Taking to the road, Chef Carl goes back to his roots to reignite his passion for the kitchen — and zest for life and love.
Wine Pairing:
If you plan to recreate Chef Carl’s food truck Cuban sandwiches while you watch this movie, a glass of Spanish Rioja would pair well with it. If you prefer the grilled cheese sandwich he made for Scarlett Johansson, then a Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel would be a nice match. If all else fails, grab a six-pack of Shiner Bock to celebrate Aaron Franklin’s brisket at their stop in Austin, Texas!
Available on Amazon Prime, Google Play, and iTunes. Trailer.
Check out Part One.
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