Movies

Meet the Saucy Genius Behind Carême: The Wild Truth About France’s First Celebrity Chef

BBG News

In this enthusiastic take, I’d say: “I’m absolutely thrilled about the latest period drama on Apple TV+! It delves into the life story of none other than the world’s first renowned chef, Antonin Carême.

Carême unfolds during Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule following the French Revolution. The character portrayed by Benjamin Voisin, a talented chef, is employed by the French diplomat Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (Jérémie Renier) to craft innovative pastries that will leave an impression on those he’s engaging in diplomatic discussions, dazzling them with his culinary creations.

Here’s what to know about the real chef who inspired Carême.

What the real Carême is known for

According to Ian Kelly, creator of “Carême”, he was the first chef to gain wealth and notoriety by publishing cookbooks. This groundbreaking chef is also recognized for originating the phrase, found in his second cookbook, “‘you could try this yourself at home.’

Apart from his culinary innovations, he is known for introducing a distinctive tall, stiff white hat – a design different from the low-profile caps worn by the chefs under his supervision. In an early form of chef endorsement, he guided readers towards a store where they could purchase their own version of this iconic headgear.

As a movie critic dabbling in the culinary world, I must confess that recreating some of Carême’s iconic dishes at home can be as challenging as mastering the art of film direction. For instance, the vol-au-vent, a French classic where puff pastry cradles savory delights, and tournedos Rossini, a steak dish crowned with luxurious foie gras – both are testaments to his genius. It’s said that he himself declared, “My spirit is quintessentially French, and I can only flourish in France.

For centuries, French cuisine has served as a diplomatic tool, demonstrating the nation’s finest offerings to its allies. As such, Carême, a fervent culinary artist, aimed to elevate cooking and being a chef into recognized forms of art, as stated by Kelly.

In the program, for instance, Carême unveils a grand triangular cake, wrapped in delicate paper. When he sets fire to this paper, it exposes a trio of pastries within, destined for a British ambassador with a strong sweet craving. This spectacle symbolizes one of Carême’s quotes: “I consider architecture the premier art form, and the main discipline of architecture is pastry-making.

During the late 1800s, the timeframe for the show, significantly influenced French culinary arts. As Kelly puts it, following the turmoil of the revolution, the French sought solace in food. She notes that prior to the revolution, there were no restaurants in Paris, and the concept of gastronomy emerged during this period.

The mystery of Carême

There’s plenty of dish in the show beyond the kitchen.

In the series, it’s apparent that Chef Carême has a voracious appetite, both for food and women. He’s quite popular among the ladies, engaging in numerous romantic entanglements, even pursuing Napoleon’s partner, Josephine. However, this relationship is a creative invention of the show, as it doesn’t align with historical facts about Josephine. In truth, she was unable to bear children and aimed to prohibit divorce in France to keep Napoleon by her side. Kelly clarifies that these details are historically accurate. Carême becomes entangled in this situation because he prepares meals for Marie-Louise Habsburg, a woman who married Napoleon with the intention of producing an heir to the throne.

Regarding whether his intense sexual behavior in the show mirrors reality, Kelly suggests, “There’s not a lot of information, but what we do know strongly hints at it being so.

I, as a supporter, echo Kelly’s perspective: There was ample opportunity for artistic freedom regarding Carême due to the limited knowledge we have about him. The chef often claimed that his dishes possessed medicinal qualities, particularly his soups and consommés. However, it’s essential to clarify that the narrative where he uses bitter herbs to cure Napoleon when he’s ill is a work of fiction.

Accounts of his childhood experiences appear difficult to confirm. He asserted that at the age of nine, his own family left him, and a baker instead welcomed and cared for him.

“He was a myth-maker,” says Kelly .

A sharp tongue

Kelly’s book abounds with pearls of wisdom from the chef, and Carême believed that cookbooks represented a chef’s most lasting contribution. In 1830, three years before his passing, he penned, “The only task left to us after cooking is to document and publish. If we fail in this, we will be plagued by remorse.

He strongly advocated for dinner parties lasting at least two hours, preferably three or more, considering this an essential aspect. He was vocal about his disdain for individuals who lack appreciation for food, remarking that such a rich man lives a life of mediocrity and dies the same way. Additionally, he believed that a wealthy person who does not value a talented chef will never experience true, ineffable joy.

The person who arrives late to a restaurant reservation deserves such severe criticism that they might as well be shown the door to the dining room.

Read More

2025-05-01 02:08

Previous post How Don Johnson’s Big Pass Launched Kevin Costner Into Hollywood Stardom with Spielberg’s Help
Next post Aussie TikTok Star Kat Clark’s Shock US Move Sparks Fan Fury