Title: Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Laura Gabbert
Starring: Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Dinara Kasko
Runtime: 1 hour 15 minutes

What It Is?: This film documents the collaboration of some of the cooking world’s finest chef’s as they prepare their own lavish (and edible) displays for Versailles’ art exhibit.

What We Think?: This is immensely enjoyable to watch, as it’s not only quite pretty but interesting and educational. History and tradition are spoken of thoughtfully, while also embracing the modern-day and advancements made in the world of food. History’s opulence is compared to the excess of today. And cooking is discussed as a true art form by the subjects of the documentary, people of various backgrounds, and different techniques to express themselves who live and breathe this world. The passion and the cultural importance was made very easy to connect with, and the messages and concepts were executed in a way that felt accessible to anyone, even those with nearly zero experiences cooking out of passion over necessity. Nimble pacing and lack of unnecessary filling help to keep interested throughout the film as well.

Our Grade: A, I believe that this film is a great summarization of what makes the creation of food simply for the sake of art special, and how previous historical examples of this compare to the modern-day scene. Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, art enthusiast, or just like watching dedicated professionals make gorgeous culinary creations, you’ll find something to savor in this sweet little documentary.