“Delicious” (original title: “Délicieux”) is a film directed by Eric Besnard and set at that difficult period just before the French Revolution. Manceron (Grégory Gadebois) is the official cook for the Duke of Chamfort (Benjamin Lavernhe). While his boss highly appreciates his cuisine, his attempts to introduce new culinary specialties are not particularly respected. When Manceron served a new appetizer that he simply called “Délicieux,” the duke and his guests derided the dish and the cook. Moreover, the duke asked his cook to apologize for his unconventional creation, especially for the use of one particular ingredient: potatoes. For the French nobility at the time, potatoes were only suitable for pigs.
Manceron refused to apologize, and, as a result, he and his son Hyacyntth (Guillaume de Tonquedec) leave the stability of life in the duke’s castle to begin an uncertain venture. Now settled in an old inn in the countryside, one day he received the visit of a mysterious woman, Louise (Isabel Carré). She asks him to teach her how to cook. She offers to be his apprentice. However, Manceron is not interested.
Events would make Manceron change his mind, though. Then, the two are ready to start what eventually would become one of the most iconic French inventions: the restaurant. At the same time, the duke tries to lure his former cook back, while a new revelation would add an ingredient of intrigue to Louise’s presence.
Times are becoming more agitated as discontent grows among the French people. Manceron’s son, who has read Voltaire and other thinkers who inspired the new revolutionary atmosphere, would also influence the changes happening at his father’s establishment.
“Delicious” is an entertaining film, with some intrigue and, of course, adding an exciting crossing of revolutionary and culinary elements. I recommend this movie to those interested in a story that has some historical references, combined with some romance and gastronomy.
In French with English subtitles. Duration: 112 min.
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