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Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles (2020): Cast & Ratings

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles (2020) movie poster

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles is a 2020 documentary directed by Laura Gabbert, starring Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel and Deborah Krohn. It runs 1 hour 15 minutes and earned $194,348 worldwide. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
worldwide gross
$194.3K
Echo Score
70
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Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 15m (75 min)
Director
Laura Gabbert
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles About?

The premise of Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles without spoilers.

Celebrated chef Yotam Ottolenghi explores the history of Versailles and draws surprising parallels between the French monarchy and contemporary social media culture in this documentary. He journeys through the palace’s grand spaces, meeting with pastry chef Dominique Ansel and others, to examine themes of excess and privilege. Ottolenghi’s culinary exploration reveals a desire for connection and belonging within structures of exclusion and historical power dynamics.

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles Themes & Keywords

· 24 tags
  • decadence
  • art exhibit
  • metropolitan museum of art new york city
  • versailles france
  • cutting edge
  • cake
  • french pastry
  • reference to marie antoinette
  • reference to king louis xvi
  • king of france
  • pastry chef
  • artist
+12 more
  • modeling
  • chocolate
  • cooking show
  • creativity
  • sugar
  • jelly
  • palace of versailles
  • excess
  • reference to donald trump
  • avant garde short
  • experimental short
  • swan
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Cast & crew

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles Cast

Yotam Ottolenghi leads the cast, with Dominique Ansel and Deborah Krohn. Directed by Laura Gabbert; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles

· 3 more
From the director

More from Laura Gabbert

More films directed by Laura Gabbert, best-rated first: Sunset Story, We Women Warriors, No Impact Man: The Documentary and Food and Country.

Full filmography
Ratings

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

70 /100

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles Echo Score Breakdown

While the documentary excels in its visual presentation, it offers a somewhat shallow exploration of its subject matter. The pacing feels rushed and a number of reviewers noted an overabundance of content within the 75-minute runtime, leading to a cluttered structure and occasional anticlimactic moments. However, the film’s aesthetic coherence and lavish display of culinary artistry received consistent praise. Overall, the balance of striking visuals and uneven narrative yields a moderately positive but imperfect experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film delivers a consistently polished visual aesthetic. Cinematography is frequently described as glossy and sumptuous, showcasing the edible sculptures with clarity and flair. Some critics, however, noted a cluttered editing rhythm that diminishes thematic focus. Overall, the strong visual design anchors the documentary’s artistic impact.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    Regarding character and emotion, the documentary provides glimpses into the chefs’ personalities but stops short of deep development. Observers appreciated the insightful portrayal of culinary creators yet found limited emotional resonance beyond surface-level enthusiasm. The film’s brief runtime and prioritization of visual spectacle constrain deeper interpersonal engagement. Consequently, character depth remains modest.

  • Story & Flow 55

    When it comes to story and flow, the film’s structure is uneven and occasionally rushed. Reviewers noted a cluttered sequence of topics within the tight 75-minute span, leading to unclear thematic progression and a sense of anticlimax. While the documentary touches on cultural symbolism and historical context, the limited focus undermines narrative coherence. Overall, engagement fluctuates.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    In terms of sensory experience, the documentary excels with its mouth-watering visuals and cohesive soundscape. Critics consistently praised the lavish depiction of edible artworks and the immersive food-focused sequences. The soundtrack and sound design support the sweeping visuals without drawing undue attention. Consequently, the film’s sensory presentation stands out as its most compelling attribute.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When assessing rewatch factor, the film’s strong visuals may attract repeat viewing, but the shallow narrative limits long-term appeal. While viewers might revisit the sumptuous food sequences, the lack of deeper context and anticlimactic structure reduce incentives for subsequent viewings. The brisk pace and narrow focus make later discoveries unlikely. Overall, rewatch value remains modest.

Box office

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles Box Office

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles grossed $194,348 worldwide. $4,962 came from the US and Canada and $189,386 (97%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$194.3K

US & Canada
$5K
International
$189.4K
US & Canada 3% Rest of the world 97%
Videos

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles.

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles - Official Trailer | HD | IFC Films

Seen Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles?

FAQ

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles?

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles runs 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes).

When was Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles released?

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles was released on September 25, 2020.

Who directed Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles?

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles was directed by Laura Gabbert.

More films by Laura Gabbert

Who is in the cast of Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles?

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles stars Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel and Deborah Krohn, among 7 credited actors.

How much did Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles make at the box office?

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles grossed $194,348 worldwide ($4,962 domestic, $189,386 international).

How is Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles rated?

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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