Bam! Channel Your Inner Emeril Lagasse With These Food Movies

Food is probably the most universally loved thing in the world, so it’s no surprise that some of the best movies ever made were centered around food, and love. Movies help us escape, understand, and connect with people we never would have connected with before. For a few hours, movies let us become someone we never knew we could be, and bring us into a new world.

Not everyone has what it takes to be the one of the world’s best chefs, and that’s okay. Everyone does have the capability of living vicariously through those chefs and amazing cooks. Movies take us to places we have never been, and share stories that warm our hearts, or break them. Food is what we know, so it’s no surprise that we have our own list of food movies that encompass food. With this list, we hope you pop in, turn on Netflix, enjoy some foodie films, and have fun!

chef the movie

Chef (2014)

Is there a more fun, delicious, feel good movie redemption movie other than Chef? The answer is no! And of course this is the first one, because of obvious reasons. It’s so fun to watch Jon Favreau’s character, Chef Carl, reignite his passion for cooking and succeed in doing what he loves. This movie might also make you think, “Hey, maybe we should buy a food truck!” For two hours, we all get to live vicariously through Carl, and live our own dreams of sharing our favorite foods with the masses. Let’s all bring out our inner Carl and make sure we always do what makes us happy.

ratatouille-the-movie

Ratatouille (2007)

The idea of this movie may make some uncomfortable, a rat running around the kitchen, but the outcome was absolutely adorable. Ratatouille makes me wish that Remy would come to my home and help me cook! If Remy, a rat, can be passionate about cooking, why can’t we? He dreamed of being a great French chef, and despite his shortcomings, he made it happen! We can too! Yes, I know this movie is fictional and animated, but I still love the message. We should all embrace our desires to become French chefs (if that’s what you want to do)!

PHP4927299F561C6

 Soul Food (1997)

This movie is a great reminder that food and family go hand-in-hand. The center of this movie is that every Sunday night, no matter what, this family will always get together for Sunday night dinner. A midst all of the drama – and there is a lot of drama in this movie – it’s a great reminder of the important things in life: family and good food. This movie shows us that when it seems as if everything in your life is going all wrong, food is always the answer to help get you back on track. Well that and being surrounded by family.

Chocolate Movie

Chocolat (2000)

Can this movie be my life please? My dream job and a life with Johnny Depp all wrapped into one movie. This sweet, and very sensual romantic comedy won the hearts of everyone, and we all understand why. A fish out of water scenario, in the best way. Of course chocolate brings people together and can turn a backwards town around. t is after all, one of the most universally loved food of all time! Any movie where the heroine is a woman and a chocolatier and her love interest is Johnny Depp is a movie, I will love.

willy wonka and chocolate factory

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

The original, not the Johnny Depp remake. Sorry Johnny, but Gene Wilder was born to play the mad genius that is Willy Wonka. After seeing this movie, who didn’t wish they were Charlie winning the golden ticket? No movie before this has been able to transform me into a candy lover as much as this one. To this day, I still wish that chocolate river was real! I will forever dream of a future that has chocolate rivers for all! Please, someone give me a Golden Ticket and let me win Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. I will take good care of it, I promise.

julie and julia

Julie & Julia (2009)

Who hasn’t had the dream that they’re a famous chef with a very successful cookbook? It happens to me every time I’m in the kitchen. This movie shows one girl’s courage to become the chef she always wanted to be. In the most honest way, we get to watch Julie use food to help satisfy her less than satisfying life. This movie shows us why food is the center of our lives, brings us joy, and gives us inspiration. We should all tap into our inner Julia Child once in a while, where we gain a few pounds but have the best time doing it!

– Guest Contributor, Cara Meyers