The Taste of Things 2023

On a picturesque country estate in France, set in the year 1889, the story unfolds around Eugénie who skillfully works as a revered cook for Dodin Bouffant, a connoisseur of fine cuisine. The atmosphere is filled with the aroma of exquisite dishes as Eugénie, alongside her dedicated assistant Violette and Violette’s young niece Pauline, who is there for a day visit, meticulously prepares an elaborate meal to impress Dodin’s esteemed friends. This gathering is not merely about food but a celebration of Eugénie’s culinary artistry, which stands in stark contrast to a garish eight-hour ordeal concocted by the chef of a visiting prince, much to the group’s dismay.

Despite being in a long-term romantic bond, Eugénie and Dodin maintain separate lives with individual bedrooms. Throughout their relationship, Dodin has proposed on several occasions, yet Eugénie prefers their current arrangement, cherishing their shared love for exploring new recipes and preparing culinary masterpieces. In the scene of warmth and creativity, Eugénie suggests training young Pauline, who showcases remarkable culinary talent for her age, to follow in her footsteps, but her parents express their reservations.

As the plot thickens, Dodin plans to invite the prince for an intimate meal featuring the humble yet noteworthy dish, pot-au-feu. Yet, as the story takes a somber turn, Eugénie begins to experience troubling fainting spells that concern Dodin deeply. He enlists the help of his compassionate friend and doctor, Rabaz, but despite his efforts, Eugénie assures him there’s nothing to worry about. Motivated by love, Dodin dedicates himself to creating a scrumptious meal for Eugénie, culminating in a heartfelt gesture where he hides an engagement ring in a dessert. In this touching moment, Eugénie finally agrees to marry him, and they joyfully plan to unite their lives in the “autumn of their lives.”

However, tragedy strikes when Dodin discovers that Eugénie has passed away peacefully in her sleep. Overwhelmed by grief, he sinks into melancholy, refusing to indulge in food and isolating himself from the world. Despite the arrival of Pauline’s parents, who inform him of their daughter’s desire to learn from him, Dodin rebuffs their advances. His friends, attempting to lift his spirits, send a cook to recreate one of Eugénie’s beloved omelettes, but in a fit of rage, he dismisses the cook, clinging to his sorrow.

In time, Dodin finds himself entangled in the search for a new cook to prepare the prince’s meal, reluctantly assisted by Pauline. This leads to a series of disappointing interviews. However, destiny shines favorably when a friend introduces Dodin to a nearby cook whose dish sparks excitement in him. Together with Pauline, they embark on a journey to meet this new culinary talent. In a poignant flashback, he recalls a significant conversation with Eugénie, where she poignantly questioned if she was merely his cook or indeed a partner in his life, to which he affirmatively assured her, “You are my cook,” a response that universally resonated with her satisfaction. The elaborate tapestry of love, culinary delights, and the bittersweet pangs of loss are woven artfully throughout this tale, reflecting on the profound relationship forged in the kitchen and beyond.